Lebanon Firm on Disarming Hezbollah, Says President
Lebanon Pushes for Hezbollah Disarmament Amidst Ongoing Tensions
Efforts to disarm Hezbollah in Lebanon are currently intensifying, with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun publicly determined to enforce the disarmament of all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah, as part of reasserting the state's monopoly on weapons and sovereignty across all Lebanese territory.
This push is occurring under significant U.S. pressure, which links disarmament to easing Israeli military actions and unlocking international support for Lebanon. However, Hezbollah, which holds substantial parts of its arsenal and territorial presence in Lebanon despite suffering noticeable military losses in last year's conflict with Israel, continues to resist disarmament demands.
President Aoun has demanded the extension of the Lebanese state's authority over all its territory, the removal of weapons from all armed groups, including Hezbollah, and their handover to the Lebanese army. In response, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem has stated that anyone calling for the surrender of weapons is serving the Israeli project.
Israel, which has not withdrawn all its troops from Lebanon, keeping them in five strategic areas, has carried out near daily strikes in Lebanon in recent months, targeting what it says are Hezbollah militants and infrastructure. The Lebanese military, meanwhile, has hit infrastructure used for producing and storing strategic weapons in south Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.
The truce from the November conflict was based on longstanding UN Security Council resolutions that stipulate only the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers may hold weapons in southern Lebanon. The Lebanese government proposals under discussion include demanding Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and cessation of airstrikes, calling on Hezbollah and other armed groups, including Palestinian factions, to disarm and transfer their weapons to the Lebanese army, seeking international financial support for Lebanese security forces and reconstruction, and organizing an international conference to support Lebanon's rebuilding efforts.
Despite the ongoing tensions, Aoun proposed modifications to ideas submitted by the United States on Hezbollah's disarmament, and a plan will be discussed at a cabinet meeting next week to "establish a timetable for implementation". The stalemate between Lebanon's political leadership and Hezbollah, with continued regional and international pressure on all sides, remains a pressing issue for the region.
[1] Reuters. (2021, February 15). Lebanon's Aoun proposes modifications to U.S. Hezbollah disarmament plan. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-aoun-proposes-modifications-us-hezbollah-disarmament-plan-2021-02-15/
[2] Al Jazeera. (2021, February 16). Lebanon's Aoun says Hezbollah must disarm to end Israeli hostilities. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/2/16/lebanon-s-aoun-says-hezbollah-must-disarm-to-end-israeli-hostilities
[3] The New Arab. (2021, February 15). Lebanon's Aoun proposes timetable for Hezbollah disarmament. Retrieved from https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2021/2/15/lebanon-s-aoun-proposes-timetable-for-hezbollah-disarmament
[4] Associated Press. (2021, February 15). Hezbollah chief: Anyone calling for surrender of weapons serving Israeli project. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/israel-lebanon-middle-east-conflict-hezbollah-d253e45f73d4020007692675a3838f5a
[5] Middle East Eye. (2021, February 15). Hezbollah leader rejects Lebanese president's disarmament demand. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hezbollah-leader-rejects-lebanese-president-s-disarmament-demand
[1] The push for Hezbollah's disarmament in Lebanon, a contentious topic in general news, is escalating as Lebanese President Joseph Aoun calls for the surrender of weapons, which Naim Qassem, Hezbollah chief, claims would serve the Israeli project in the ongoing war-and-conflicts context.
[2] As efforts to reassert the state's monopoly on weapons and sovereignty across all Lebanese territory continue amidst tensions, crime-and-justice issues arise, with Israel carrying out near daily strikes targeting Hezbollah militants and infrastructure, while the Lebanese military responds by hitting infrastructure used for producing and storing strategic weapons.
