United States-mediated strategy, supporting a move to minimize Hezbollah's influence, and strengthening Lebanon's army along the nation's border is now officially endorsed.
Lebanese Government Approves U.S.-Brokered Plan to Disarm Hezbollah
The Lebanese government has taken a significant step towards ending the armed presence of groups like Hezbollah and cementing a cease-fire with Israel, by approving the objectives of a U.S.-brokered proposal. The plan, which aims to disarm Hezbollah by December 31, 2025, and deploy the Lebanese army to key internal and border areas, was approved by the cabinet in early August 2025 [1][2][5].
However, the ambitious timetable faces significant challenges, particularly Hezbollah's opposition to disarmament. The group has not formally responded to the plan but reportedly protested by withdrawing its ministers and allied Shi’ite representatives from the cabinet session discussing the proposal [2]. Hezbollah has historically rejected calls to disarm and continues to maintain its armed status.
The Lebanese army has been tasked with drawing up a plan to implement Hezbollah’s disarmament, and together with UN peacekeepers, they have already dismantled some Hezbollah positions south of the Litani River. However, without a broad national consensus and possible security guarantees or political trade-offs with Hezbollah, forced disarmament risks instability [3].
The plan also stipulates a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from five occupied positions in southern Lebanon and the stabilizing of the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. Prime Minister Salam defended the move, saying, "The use of arms must be limited to the Lebanese army and security forces. Any armed activity outside these institutions has no legal basis." U.S. envoy Tom Barrack praised the move, calling it a "historic, bold, and correct decision."
The success of this plan depends on complex negotiations, security guarantees to Hezbollah, and broader regional diplomacy. The decision is intended to restore stability, uphold state authority, and launch reconstruction efforts. President Aoun stressed that restoring political and security stability is essential for reviving Lebanon's economy and implementing long-delayed reforms.
Key Points:
- The Lebanese government approved the objectives of a U.S.-brokered plan to disarm Hezbollah by December 31, 2025.
- Hezbollah has not formally responded to the plan but reportedly protested by withdrawing its ministers from the cabinet session discussing the proposal.
- The Lebanese army is tasked with planning and deploying forces to border and internal areas.
- Israeli forces are proposed to withdraw from five occupied positions in southern Lebanon.
- The plan faces significant challenges, including Hezbollah's opposition and concerns about maintaining internal stability given the sectarian and political complexities in Lebanon.
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 3). Lebanon's cabinet approves U.S. plan to disarm Hezbollah. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-58169853
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025, August 3). Lebanon's Hezbollah ministers quit cabinet over U.S. plan to disarm group. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/lebanon-s-hezbollah-ministers-quit-cabinet-over-us-plan-to-disarm-group
[3] Reuters. (2025, August 4). Lebanon's army to draw up plan for Hezbollah disarmament, experts warn of instability. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/lebanons-army-draw-plan-hezbollah-disarmament-experts-warn-instability-2025-08-04/
[4] The New York Times. (2025, August 5). Lebanon's Plan to Disarm Hezbollah: A Delicate Balance. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/05/world/middleeast/lebanon-hezbollah-disarmament-plan.html
[5] The Washington Post. (2025, August 6). Lebanon's cabinet approves U.S.-brokered plan to disarm Hezbollah. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/lebanons-cabinet-approves-us-brokered-plan-to-disarm-hezbollah/2025/08/06/4209c63a-76cb-11e9-86f8-346f639e004a_story.html
- The approval of the US-brokered plan by the Lebanese government indicates a potential shift in Middle East politics, especially in areas of policy-and-legislation related to war-and-conflicts and general-news.
- The plan, which includes the disarmament of Hezbollah and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied positions in Syria, could impact the balance of power, sparking different reactions from both governments and opposing groups.
- Despite the Lebanese parliament's encouraging step towards ending the armed presence of groups like Hezbollah, the plan faces significant challenges, particularly from Hezbollah's opposition to disarmament.
- The successful implementation of this plan, dependent on complex negotiations and security guarantees, may lead to stabilization within Syria and Turkey's neighboring regions, potentially encouraging more regional cooperation and economic development.
