Beirut: Hezbollah has rejected a Lebanese government plan that gives the national army at least four months to move ahead with the next phase of a nationwide disarmament effort, deepening political tensions in a country still recovering from war and economic crisis.
The plan is part of a broader strategy to bring all weapons under state control after the devastating conflict with Israel in 2024. Lebanese officials say the next phase would focus on areas north of the Litani River, extending toward the Awali River near Sidon. The army has already completed an initial phase in southern border zones.
Hezbollah leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said the focus on disarming the group is a major mistake and claimed it serves Israeli interests. He insisted that the movement’s weapons remain necessary to defend Lebanon against Israeli threats. Ministers aligned with Hezbollah walked out of a cabinet meeting in protest after the plan was discussed.
Government officials argue that placing all arms under state authority is essential to strengthening national sovereignty and preventing future conflicts. The disarmament push is also linked to ceasefire arrangements meant to reduce tensions along the Israeli border.
However, Lebanese authorities have acknowledged that the timeline could change due to the army’s limited resources and continued Israeli strikes in border areas. Israel has repeatedly called for the removal of Hezbollah’s weapons, describing them as a direct security threat.
The issue remains one of the most sensitive in Lebanese politics. Supporters of Hezbollah view the group as a resistance force that protects the country, while critics say armed groups operating outside state control weaken national institutions and increase the risk of war.
The dispute comes as Lebanon faces mounting domestic pressure, including economic hardship and public protests over rising living costs. Analysts warn that disagreements over disarmament could further strain the fragile political balance and test the country’s stability in the months ahead.
Observers are now watching whether the army will begin the next phase as scheduled and whether political negotiations can produce a compromise acceptable to all sides.