Egypt Daily News – Lebanese Hezbollah officially responded on Friday regarding the issue of its weapons, confirming its agreement to the principle of limiting arms to the Lebanese state, but with specific conditions.
The party stated that any discussion on handing over its weapons is tied to Israel’s withdrawal from five occupied points in southern Lebanon and the cessation of repeated Israeli violations and aggressions, according to Western media outlets.
Hezbollah emphasized that its weapons are an “internal matter” subject to national dialogue or a comprehensive defense strategy that ensures Lebanon’s security and sovereignty. Meanwhile, Lebanese political sources explained that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who is conveying the party’s position, is working to unify the Lebanese stance regarding the items in the proposed document.
The sources added that Lebanon will make amendments to the document, particularly concerning the timeline for handing over weapons, so that the process is implemented gradually, ensuring Israel’s withdrawal from the occupied Lebanese territories.
Lebanon is expected to submit its official response to the American proposal carried by presidential envoy Thomas Barrack during his visit to Beirut on June 19. This step may coincide with an expected meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington.
Representatives of the president, parliament, and government are preparing to meet on Saturday to finalize Lebanon’s response, as part of efforts to unify the internal stance and strengthen security and political stability in the country.
It’s worth noting that Hezbollah’s Secretary-General, Naim Qassem, expressed his rejection of any Israeli interference in Lebanon’s internal discussions about the weapons issue, stressing that “the party will not hand over its weapons to the Israeli enemy.” Qassem stated, during a speech commemorating the nights of Muharram in Beirut’s southern suburbs: “There is an agreement (between Hezbollah) and Israel through the Lebanese state indirectly. Israel must abide by the agreement it made with the Lebanese state.”
He added: “As for our internal matters, we handle them ourselves, and others have no right to interfere.” He continued, “They want to oversee us through threats and force, and they want to decide what they want. Threats and force do not work with us.”
These developments come amid rising tensions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, along with intensified international efforts to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, in light of repeated Lebanese demands for Israel to withdraw from occupied territories and cease its violations of UN Resolution 1701.
