Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a move seen as both politically bold and deeply contentious, the Lebanese government has officially tasked the army with drafting a comprehensive plan to centralize all weapons under the control of the state by the end of 2025. The decision was announced by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday evening, following a Cabinet session held at the presidential palace in Baabda and chaired by President Joseph Aoun.
The development marks a significant attempt by Lebanon’s central authorities to reassert the state’s exclusive right to bear arms, a matter long at the heart of political contention due to the presence of powerful non-state actors, most notably Hezbollah.
“The Cabinet has decided to assign the Lebanese Army the responsibility of preparing a plan to consolidate all weapons under state control by the end of this year and present it to the government no later than August 31,” Prime Minister Salam said during a press conference.
U.S. Paper and UN Resolution 1701 Back in Focus
Salam also confirmed that the Cabinet will continue discussions on a recent U.S.-backed proposal concerning weapons control and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from five disputed border points in southern Lebanon. A follow-up session has been scheduled for August 7 to deliberate further on the matter.
The Prime Minister underscored that both the Cabinet’s policy statement and President Aoun’s inaugural address affirm “the duty of the state to monopolize the possession of weapons.” He reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 adopted in 2006 to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah while reserving Lebanon’s right to self-defense in the face of any aggression.
Hezbollah Ministers Walk Out, Tensions Surface
Despite the government’s decision, the Cabinet session was not without drama. Two ministers Tamara Al-Zein (affiliated with the Amal Movement) and Rakan Nassereddine (of Hezbollah) walked out in protest over the resolution. However, according to Information Minister Paul Morcos, both ministers have agreed to return for Thursday’s session.
President Joseph Aoun, who presided over the session, reportedly emphasized the need for “internal unity to overcome national challenges,” a message likely directed at preventing a deeper political rift over the controversial disarmament plan.
Hezbollah Pushes Back, Rejects Unilateral Disarmament
Hezbollah, for its part, has not officially commented on the Cabinet decision as of Tuesday evening, but its position remains clear. Earlier in the day, Hezbollah’s Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem issued a stark warning during a televised speech, saying, “We will not accept the gradual dismantling of our strength while Israeli aggression continues, nor will we bow to pressure.”
Qassem stressed that Hezbollah views its arms as a deterrent and a necessity for national defense, insisting that any discussion about the group’s weapons must occur through national consensus, not external pressure or unilateral government decisions.
The group has consistently rejected disarmament calls unless Israel halts its violations of Lebanese sovereignty and reconstruction begins in war-torn areas.
A Shift in Official Rhetoric Amid Regional and Domestic Pressure
The government’s move comes just days after President Aoun delivered what has been described as an “unprecedented” speech, calling for the disarmament of all armed groups in the country, including Hezbollah. His call reflected growing regional and international pressure on Lebanon to address the long-standing issue of parallel military forces operating outside state authority.
This new assertive tone from the Lebanese leadership appears to signal a break from the traditional ambiguity surrounding Hezbollah’s military role, at a time when Lebanon faces heightened geopolitical scrutiny.
Ongoing Israeli Violations Fuel Border Tensions
The backdrop to these political shifts is a volatile situation on Lebanon’s southern border. Despite a ceasefire agreement that came into effect in late November 2024, Israeli violations have persisted.
Since hostilities began in October 2023 and escalated into a full-scale war by September 2024, over 4,000 people have been killed and approximately 17,000 injured. Although Israel has conducted a partial withdrawal, it continues to occupy five strategic hilltops in southern Lebanon a sticking point in any future negotiations.
The Lebanese government reports more than 3,000 Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement, resulting in 267 deaths and over 560 injuries. The ongoing breaches have heightened tensions and reinforced Hezbollah’s argument for retaining its arms.
Symbolic Gesture: A Street Name Change
In a notable side decision, the Cabinet approved the renaming of “Hafez al-Assad Street” a major road leading to Beirut’s airport to “Ziad Rahbani Street,” in honor of the famed Lebanese artist and playwright. The move is widely interpreted as a symbolic departure from past affiliations and an effort to reassert Lebanese national identity amid shifting political winds.
A Tipping Point for Lebanon’s Sovereignty?
The coming weeks are set to be pivotal. With the army now officially mandated to devise a disarmament framework and mounting political confrontation on the horizon, Lebanon stands at a crossroads. Whether the state can reclaim its monopoly on force and at what cost remains an open question.
The issue is likely to define the country’s political trajectory in the coming months, as it attempts to balance internal cohesion, regional instability, and the demands of an increasingly watchful international community.
