Army given green light in Lebanon to devise strategy for Hezbollah's potential disarmament by year-end
Lebanon Approves US-Backed Plan for Hezbollah Disarmament
In a significant move, the Lebanese government has endorsed a US-backed proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, by the end of the year. The decision, made on August 31st, follows increased international pressure on Lebanon to restore state control over weapons and bring an end to ongoing Israeli-Hezbollah confrontations.
The plan, which requires the government to issue a decree within 15 days committing to Hezbollah's disarmament by December 31, 2025, marks the most detailed public plan to address the disarmament of Hezbollah since last year's conflict with Israel. However, the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament remains complex due to the group's weapons being effectively controlled by Iran.
The endorsement of the state's monopoly over weapons is a significant step, but its full implementation remains incomplete. The disarmament of Hezbollah is closely tied to Lebanese political dynamics, including tensions between the prime minister and president. The international community, including France and the US, is applying pressure on Lebanon to act decisively to avoid continued instability and the "stumbling status quo."
The plan implicitly links disarmament with broader stability, suggesting that disarming Hezbollah is a prerequisite for halting Israeli military operations and enabling reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. While precise details on reconstruction are not stated explicitly, international actors conditioning aid and reconstruction support on Hezbollah’s disarmament suggest a connection: ceasing hostilities would create a safer environment for rebuilding Lebanon’s infrastructure.
Despite the government's decision, Hezbollah has vowed to ignore the call for disarmament, considering it a move that serves Israel's interests. Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, has denounced the proposed disarmament as an "external dictate in the service of Israel" and threatened that any new large-scale Israeli aggression would provoke a harsh reaction.
In response to the government's decision, Hezbollah sympathizers have taken to the streets in the south of Beirut, waving the group's flags as a sign of support for their leaders and rejection of international pressure. The decision has also sparked concerns about potential communal tensions in Lebanon, where Hezbollah and its arsenal maintain significant support among the country's Shiite Muslim community.
As the deadline for disarmament approaches, the international community will continue to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution and a step towards stability in Lebanon.
The US-backed plan for Hezbollah disarmament, endorsed by Lebanon, is linked to the international community's goal of halting war-and-conflicts and promoting general-news stability in the region. However, the average Lebanese citizen may be concerned about the potential for communal tensions due to the plan's impact on the Shiite Muslim community, as seen in the outpouring of Hezbollah sympathizers in the streets.
