Lebanon aims to disarm Hezbollah before the end of the year
The Lebanese cabinet has officially endorsed a proposal aimed at disarming Hezbollah, with the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) tasked with presenting a detailed operational plan by August 31, 2025, to carry out this disarmament. This move is a significant step towards centralising security under the state's authority, challenging Hezbollah's role as a political and armed actor.
The decision, which is part of implementing a ceasefire last year that sought to end hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, has been met with resistance from Hezbollah. The group's chief, Naim Qassem, stated that the group would not disarm while Israeli attacks continue. Hezbollah argues that the initiative is a violation of the government’s "charter" and positions itself as a necessary military force for national defense.
The disarmament plan faces several challenges. Political backlash from Hezbollah and its allies threatens governmental coordination breakdowns and localized security tensions. Internal stability concerns and opposition from Hezbollah's main regional backer, Iran, complicate the ambitious goal to complete disarmament by year's end. The complex regional dynamics involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran, as well as domestic Lebanese politics, further add to the difficulty of the task.
The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah, which lasted more than a year and included two months of all-out war, left Hezbollah weakened. The group's arsenal was pummeled, and its senior leadership decimated. This weakened state has provided the impetus for the disarmament plan.
The session discussing the proposal was headed by President Joseph Aoun, and the decision follows heavy U.S. pressure. The plan for disarming Hezbollah, developed by the Lebanese army, will be presented to the cabinet by the end of August for discussion and approval.
Under the proposal, government authorities including the army and internal security forces are to be the exclusive bearers of weapons in Lebanon, marking an unprecedented step since civil war factions gave up their weapons decades ago.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Hezbollah will comply with the disarmament plan or continue to resist, potentially leading to further tensions in the region.
[1] The Associated Press. (2021, August 5). Lebanon's cabinet endorses U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-lebanon-hezbollah-military-and-defense-6c1e41b04e827f19a77f5f87b5625176
[2] Al Jazeera. (2021, August 5). Lebanon's cabinet endorses US-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/8/5/lebanons-cabinet-endorses-us-backed-plan-to-disarm-hezbollah
[3] Reuters. (2021, August 5). Lebanon's cabinet endorses U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-cabinet-endorses-us-backed-plan-disarm-hezbollah-2021-08-05/
- The endorsed plan to disarm Hezbollah, supported by the United States, has sparked a political debate, with Hezbollah expressing opposition and arguing that it is a violation of the government's "charter" and a necessity for national defense.
- The regional news is filled with updates on the ongoing politics surrounding the disarmament of Hezbollah, as the group resists the plan, citing internal stability concerns, backlash from allies, and regional complications with countries like Iran and Israel, making war-and-conflicts a prominent topic in general news.
