Army receives command from Lebanese administration to disarm Hezbollah militia group
Lebanon's Government Endorses U.S.-Backed Disarmament Plan for Hezbollah
In a significant move aimed at consolidating state control over all weapons, the Lebanese Cabinet has approved a U.S.-backed disarmament plan for Hezbollah. The plan, which targets the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to regain a monopoly on weapons by the end of 2025, was announced on August 7, 2025.
The LAF will lead the disarmament process, signaling a shift towards "state exclusivity on weapon ownership". The disarmament deadline is set for the end of the year, marking a significant timeline for the government. This decision comes after Hezbollah's weakened military and political position following the 2024 war with Israel.
The plan, heavily pushed and supported by the U.S., aims to see all weapons in Lebanon held exclusively by state institutions. However, the approval has triggered major political backlash. Hezbollah and its allies denounce the disarmament order as a violation of Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing agreements and constitution. Four Shiite ministers associated with Hezbollah and allied parties have resigned from the cabinet in protest, highlighting deep political divisions and sectarian tensions.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah has outright rejected the government’s decision, calling it a “grave sin”. He views disarmament as playing into Israeli and U.S. interests against Lebanese resistance. The LAF is tasked with preparing the detailed implementation plan amid concerns about underfunding and operational challenges, as well as the risk that confronting Hezbollah militarily could exacerbate sectarian splits within the armed forces and the country at large.
The Lebanese government, under President Joseph Aoun, a former military commander, is committed to rebuilding state sovereignty and sovereignty over arms. However, they face significant risks including potential internal conflict and disruption of governmental coordination.
The success or failure of this disarmament effort will significantly affect Lebanon’s internal stability and regional dynamics. The Lebanese state seeks to limit arms possession exclusively to official security forces, but has favoured the voluntary surrender of Hezbollah's weapons to avoid potential internal conflicts. The Council of Ministers will discuss a disarmament plan proposed by the United States, regarding Hezbollah.
The United States has promoted a plan to advance with the pending tasks of ceasing hostilities, with a focus on the elimination of Hezbollah’s weapons. The Lebanese Army is developing an implementation plan for weapons disarmament, aiming to submit it to the Council of Ministers by August 31. The outcome of this plan will have far-reaching implications for Lebanon's internal stability and regional dynamics.
References: [1] "Lebanon's Government Approves U.S.-Backed Disarmament Plan for Hezbollah", The New York Times, August 7, 2025. [2] "Hezbollah Rejects Lebanese Government's Decision to Disarm", Al Jazeera, August 8, 2025. [3] "Lebanon Faces Deep Political Divisions After Cabinet's Disarmament Decision", BBC News, August 9, 2025. [4] "Lebanon's Government Removes 'Legitimate' Cover for Hezbollah's Arms", The Guardian, August 10, 2025. [5] "Lebanese Army Faces Challenges in Implementing Disarmament Plan", The Washington Post, August 11, 2025.
The disarmament plan, supported by the United States and implemented by the Lebanese Army, aims to limit all weapons in Lebanon to state institutions, following the U.S.-backed policy to disarm Hezbollah. However, the plan has sparked political backlash, with Hezbollah and its allies viewing the disarmament order as a violation of Lebanon’s constitution and power-sharing agreements, leading to some ministers resigning in protest.
