Hezbollah opposed! Lebanon decided to collect weapons

The Lebanese government has decided to place all armed groups in the country, including Hezbollah, under state control and to confiscate their weapons. Following a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Joseph Aoun at Baabda Palace on August 5, Information Minister Paul Markus made important statements.

Markus emphasized that the government's decision aims to ensure state authority nationwide, maintain stability, and achieve reconstruction. He stated, "We have agreed to end the armed presence throughout the territory, including Hezbollah, and to deploy the army on the border."

Minister Markus, arguing that weapons should be a state-owned monopoly, stated that these steps were shaped by US recommendations and that the Council of Ministers had approved these goals. It was announced that the Lebanese army has been tasked with developing a plan to collect the weapons by the end of the year.

During the meeting, some Shiite ministers reportedly walked out despite persuasion efforts. Markus stated that these ministers simply left the meeting and did not withdraw from the government. Labor Minister Mohammed Haider stated that they left the meeting because they opposed the US proposal and requested that the proposal be reconsidered later.

Justice Minister Adnan Nassar also stated that the ministers who left the meeting supported the principle of the state monopoly on weapons, but that they had some reservations about the process.

Hezbollah, on the other hand, opposed the government's decision to collect the weapons. Hezbollah argued that the decision would "deprive Lebanon of its weapons of resistance against Israel," and that the move was a "big mistake."

A proposal presented to the Beirut government by US Special Representative for Syria Tom Barrack on June 19th stated that all weapons in the country should be collected solely under state control. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also stated in a statement on July 29th that he aimed to establish state sovereignty solely through his own forces.

Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qasim stated in a statement on July 30 that laying down arms was an internal matter for Lebanon and that they would not lay down arms for Israel.