Lebanon faces tough test as army pushes plan to seize Hezbollah weapons
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed preparations for a cabinet session due this week that will tackle an army plan to take control of weapons outside of the state’s authority.
BEIRUT — Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met at the presidential palace on Monday to discuss preparations for a crucial cabinet session later this week. The session will address an army plan to bring all weapons outside of state control under government authority by the end of the year.
According to a statement by the Lebanese presidency, the two officials also reviewed the overall situation in the country.
Why it matters: The cabinet will convene on Friday for the highly anticipated session to review the army’s plan, which also seeks to bring Hezbollah’s arsenal under state authority. The meeting comes at a time of heightened political and security tensions, with Hezbollah firmly rejecting any unilateral disarmament.
A senior source cited by local daily Al-Joumhouriya on Saturday said the army’s priority at this point is to implement its disarmament plan without engaging in clashes with any party in the country.
