Lebanese Government Tasks Army with Disarming Hezbollah by Year’s End

Lebanese Government Tasks Army with Disarming Hezbollah by Year’s End
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In a significant political development, the Lebanese cabinet has tasked the army with drafting a plan to bring all weapons under state control by the end of the year, Khaama Press reported. The decision comes after a six-hour cabinet session held amid mounting pressure from the United States and rival political factions.

According to reports from multiple news agencies, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that the army has been assigned to develop a framework to ensure that only state forces are permitted to possess weapons within Lebanese territory. While not explicitly naming Hezbollah, the move is widely seen as a direct challenge to the Iran-backed group, which has long maintained a powerful independent arsenal.

Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem has rejected the move, stating the group will not disarm while Israel continues its “aggression” against Lebanon. In a defiant statement, Qassem said Hezbollah would treat the government’s decision “as if it does not exist” and warned of missile retaliation if Israel were to launch a new, large-scale war.

The decision follows months of talks on a US-backed roadmap for disarmament in exchange for an end to Israeli strikes, a withdrawal of Israeli troops from disputed areas, and aid for reconstruction. This move has been met with protests from Hezbollah supporters and raises the risk of further political and social unrest.