+ Summary
– Hezbollah considered the cabinet session on the army’s plan to confine weapons to the state as an opportunity for calm. They aim to avoid escalation in Lebanon.
– The Lebanese cabinet welcomed the army’s plan to disarm Hezbollah. However, they did not set a timeline for implementation, noting that ongoing Israeli operations could hinder its execution.
– Hezbollah affirmed that implementing the plan depends on Israel halting its raids. They also require the withdrawal of forces from southern Lebanon. This means the plan will remain suspended until these conditions are met.
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team at Voice Of Emarat.
Beirut, Lebanon – Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qamati said Saturday that Hezbollah believes yesterday’s cabinet session on the army’s plan to confine weapons to the state provides “an opportunity to return to wisdom and reason. This is to prevent the country from sliding into the unknown.”
On Friday, the Lebanese Council of Ministers welcomed the army’s plan to disarm the Hezbollah group.
He said that the army would begin implementing it, without specifying a time frame for that. He also pointed out that the army’s capabilities are limited in that area.
But he added that continued Israeli military operations in Lebanon would hinder the army’s advance.
Information Minister Paul Marcos made statements to reporters after the cabinet meeting.
But he did not say during it that the council had officially approved the plan.
The implementation of an American road map
Qamati said that Hezbollah reached its assessment based on what the government announced on Friday. The implementation of an American road map in this regard depends on Israel’s commitment.
He stressed that unless Israel stops its raids and withdraws its forces from southern Lebanon, the implementation of the plan must remain suspended. This will be until further notice.
He said, “The government’s announcement that any progress in implementing the US paper’s stands is subject to Israel’s commitment. This means that the application is frozen until further notice”.
Last month, the Lebanese Council of Ministers tasked the army with developing a plan to limit weapons to the state.
He also agreed to an American road map aimed at disarming Hezbollah. This is in exchange for stopping Israeli military operations in Lebanon.
Qamati said that Hezbollah categorically rejected these two decisions. They expect the Lebanese government to commit to “preparing a national security strategy”.
Last week, Israel hinted that it would reduce its military presence in southern Lebanon.
This is if the Lebanese army takes measures to disarm Hezbollah.
Meanwhile, Israel continued its raids, killing four people on Wednesday.
Division has prevailed in Lebanon over disarming Hezbollah since the devastating war with Israel last year.
Which has ravaged the balance of power that has long been dominated by the Iranian-backed Shiite group.
Internal and external pressures
Lebanon is under pressure from the United States and Hezbollah’s local opponents to disarm the group.
However, Hezbollah rejects this.
He said that simply discussing his disarmament would be a grave mistake while Israel continues its air strikes on Lebanon.
Last month, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem raised the possibility of civil war.
He warned the government against trying to confront the group, and said that protests might take place in the streets.
