Hezbollah has condemned the Lebanese government's recent arms control plans, labeling them as "a grave sin" and declaring intent to disregard the decision. This statement marks a clear rejection from the Iranian-backed militant group of the government's initiative to establish a state monopoly on arms. Hezbollah announced that it would treat the cabinet's action as if it did not exist, intensifying an already fraught atmosphere as international calls for disarmament grow louder.
The Lebanese cabinet's directive, issued during a six-hour meeting, aims to bring all arms under state control by year's end. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam highlighted that the military is tasked with developing a detailed implementation plan by the month's conclusion. This move follows U.S. pressure, directing Lebanon towards the disarmament of Hezbollah—a key demand in ongoing discussions regarding regional stability.
During the cabinet meeting, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, reiterated that the group will not consider disarmament while it perceives Israeli attacks as a threat. He accused Israel of violating ceasefire agreements, which complicates dialogue surrounding disarmament and national security strategy.
Despite facing significant degradation following last year's conflict with Israel, Hezbollah continues to garner substantial support from Lebanon's Shia community. The group's resilience and firm stance against arms control may heighten tensions within Lebanon, a country still shadowed by the memories of its past civil war between 1975 and 1990.