Lebanon Assigns Army to Curb Arms, Faces Hezbollah Defiance
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The Lebanese government tasked its army on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, with developing a plan to restrict the proliferation of weapons within the country by year-end, a move widely seen as a direct challenge to Hezbollah, which has staunchly resisted calls for disarmament. The move comes amid escalating pressure from both domestic opponents and Washington,who fear further Israeli military action if Lebanon fails to address the issue of Hezbollah’s extensive arsenal.
The session, held at the presidential palace, marked the first time the Lebanese Council of Ministers has directly addressed the issue of Hezbollah’s weaponry – a important shift given the group’s previously unchallenged power. After six hours of deliberation, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced the army’s assignment, stating the goal is to inventory all weapons held throughout the country and consolidate control with state security forces.
However, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qasim swiftly rejected the initiative, dismissing it as a response to “external dictates.” In a televised address, Qasim warned that Hezbollah would retaliate should Israel resume a wider war on Lebanon, asserting that any decision regarding the group’s weapons must be reached through negotiation. “The strategy is not a timetable for disarmament,” Qasim stated. Several Shiite ministers reportedly left the session before the statement was finalized, signaling their opposition.
US Proposal and Growing Impatience
The Lebanese Details Minister, Paul Morcos, indicated the army has until the end of the month to submit its plan, adding that the cabinet also discussed proposals from the United States to disarm Hezbollah, but failed to reach a consensus. Discussions are scheduled to resume on Thursday.
In June, US envoy Thomas Barak presented Lebanese officials with a roadmap for complete disarmament in exchange for a cessation of Israeli attacks and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from five points currently controlled in southern Lebanon. A key condition of the proposal was a public commitment from the Lebanese government to disarm hezbollah.
According to reports from last week, Washington’s patience is waning after repeated visits to urge progress. officials have been pressing Lebanese ministers to expedite a public commitment to facilitate continued negotiations. However, Lebanese officials and diplomats caution that such a pledge could exacerbate sectarian tensions, given Hezbollah’s significant support within the Shiite community.
Political Maneuvering and Potential Escalation
Qasim directly refuted elements of Barak’s proposal in his Tuesday speech. Following his address, demonstrations in support of hezbollah erupted in the southern suburbs of Beirut, with dozens of motorcycles carrying Hezbollah banners.
Sources indicate that Nabih Berri, the Speaker of the lebanese Parliament and a key Hezbollah ally, engaged in discussions with President Joseph Aoun and the Prime Minister prior to Tuesday’s session. the aim was to formulate a compromise that would appease the United States while buying Lebanon more time. The proposed formula, according to two officials, would commit Lebanon to developing a national defensive strategy and maintaining the ceasefire with Israel, but would deliberately avoid an explicit pledge to disarm Hezbollah.
Kamal Shehadeh, a minister affiliated with the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces Party, countered that other ministers are preparing a proposal demanding a firm deadline for hezbollah’s disarmament. “Frankly, there is no need to postpone the decision-making. We have to put the interest of Lebanon first and make a decision today,” Shehadeh told Reuters.
Lebanese officials and foreign envoys express concern that the lack of a definitive decision on Tuesday could provoke an escalation of Israeli attacks, potentially including strikes on Beirut.While a US-brokered ceasefire halted the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel last November, Israel has continued to conduct strikes targeting what it claims are Hezbollah weapons caches and operatives, primarily in southern Lebanon.
Reader question:– Why is the Lebanese government challenging Hezbollah? The government is under pressure from domestic opponents and the U.S. to address Hezbollah’s arsenal. Washington fears further Israeli military action if the issue isn’t resolved. Hezbollah has resisted calls for disarmament.
