Hezbollah MP vows resistance to disarmament, maintaining possession of their armaments
In a significant turn of events, the Lebanese government announced on Friday that it would begin implementing a plan to disarm Hezbollah, a decision that was made under pressure from the US and in response to Israel's ongoing conflicts with the Iran-backed movement. However, Hezbollah has vowed not to give up its arms, with its deputy, Hassan Ezzedine, stating unequivocally that they will not disarm under any circumstances or pretexts.
This decision by the Lebanese government, endorsed by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, was made in 2023, in agreement with a U.S. proposal. The Lebanese army was tasked with developing a plan to implement the disarmament by the end of the year. Yet, the government has not yet provided details or a timeline for the implementation.
The Lebanese government's announcement was met with a mix of reactions. The French Foreign Ministry described it as a "positive new step," calling on all Lebanese actors to support the peaceful and timely implementation of the plan. On the other hand, Hezbollah accuses the authorities of playing into the hands of Israel and the United States by proposing the disarmament plan.
Hezbollah's stance remains firm, having emerged significantly weakened from a more than year-long conflict with Israel, including two months of open warfare from September to November 2024, and a part of its arsenal destroyed, and its leadership decimated. Despite this, Hezbollah remains the only faction to have retained its weapons after the civil war (1975-1990).
Hassan Ezzedine, in a strong warning, stated that those who devised and accepted the decision to disarm Hezbollah must reconsider and correct their mistakes, or they will bear the responsibility for the consequences. This warning echoes Hezbollah's long-held belief that disarmament is a threat to its existence and security.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this standoff between the Lebanese government and Hezbollah will play out. The US has not been directly mentioned as a pressure point in the most recent government meeting or announcement, but its influence is undeniably present. The Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah is a significant step towards regional peace and stability, but it also carries the potential for escalating tensions within Lebanon.
Read also:
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Trump's Policies: Tariffs, AI, Surveillance, and Possible Martial Law
- Uncovering Political Ad Transparency: A Guide to Investigating opponent's Political Advertisements in the Digital Realm
- Elon Musk praises JD Vance's debate performance against Tim Walz
