The Lebanese army will begin the implementation of its plan to disarm Hezbollah, the Minister of Information, said Paul Morcos, on Friday, September 5, after a government meeting dedicated to this thorny question that divides the country.
In August, under the high pressure of the United States and the fear of an intensification of Israeli bombing in Lebanon, the Nawaf Salam government ordered the army to develop a plan destined to disarm the Pro-Iranian Shiite movement for the end of the year.
Hezbolá opposes his disarmament accusing the authorities of making the game of Israel and the United States, and the government’s discussions on the subject have been boycotted once again by the Shiite ministers, especially those of Hezbollah and their amal ally.
A plan deployed “within the limits of the available media”
Paul Morcos said that the Government greeted the measures proposed by the Army to “implement the decision to extend the state authority for its own forces and limit weapons arrest to the legitimate authorities.”
Answering journalists’ questions, he said that “the Lebanese army was going to begin the implementation of the plan (Dearmament of Hezbollah), but within the limits of the available media, which are restricted to logistics, material and human levels.”
The government has decided to maintain the details of the “secret” plan, according to the declaration read by the minister, adding that the army “would present to the government a monthly report on the subject.”
“A new era for Lebanon”
According to local media, the five Shiite ministers of the Cabinet, including representatives of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, their ally, left the meeting upon the arrival of the Army Chief to present their plan.
It is not the first time they retire from discussions on the subject. The president of Parliament and the head of Amal, Nabih Berri, had called on Sunday a “quiet and consensual dialogue.”
Hezbollah is the only faction that has preserved his weapons after the civil war (1975-1990). After dominating political life in Lebanon for many years, it was very weakened by a conflict of more than a year against Israel, including two months of September to November 2024. Part of its arsenal was destroyed and its decimated direction.
Before the government meeting on Friday, the panels that represent Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun were coupled in the streets of Beirut with legend: “We are all with you. An army (…) a state. A new era for Lebanon.”
Israeli bombings continue
The Government states that the disarmament of Hezbollah is planned within the framework of the Alto El Fuego Agreement between Israel and the Shiite movement, negotiated by the United States and enters into force on November 27, 2024.
It also establishes that only the UN Lebanese army and the peaks of the UN Peace will be deployed in the south of the country, on the border with Israel, excluding the presence of Hezbollah and Israeli army there.
But it still maintains troops in the south of Lebanon and regularly leads the attacks, mainly against sites and executives of Hezbollah.
The government meeting was held when Israeli bombings have intensified in the last two days, killing at least five people, according to Beirut.
Paul Morcos emphasized that the army commander had mentioned “restrictions” when implementing the plan, including “Israeli attacks.”
While condemning Israeli attacks, Lebanese authorities insist on a disarmament of Hezbollah, founded and funded by Iran, enemy jury of Israel. On Wednesday, the movement reiterated its refusal to disarm. He conditions any discussion about his weapons to an Israeli withdrawal in the south of Lebanon, the cessation of Israeli attacks, the release of prisoners and the launch of reconstruction.
Source: BFM TV
