Hezbollah expresses readiness for disarmament under certain conditions

A senior Hezbollah official said Tuesday the group is open to negotiations over the future of its weapons — but only if the Israeli Occupation ends its airstrikes and withdraws from southern Lebanon.

In comments to Reuters, the official stated that Hezbollah is prepared to engage in dialogue with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, signaling a rare openness to discussing an issue long considered off-limits by the group. However, he made clear that any talks are conditional on a halt to "Israeli" bombardments and the full withdrawal of its forces from Lebanese territory.

The announcement comes as international pressure mounts on Hezbollah to disarm, particularly from the United States. US Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus, during a three-day visit to Beirut, renewed Washington’s call for the dismantling of Hezbollah’s arsenal — as well as that of other armed factions operating outside state control.

Ortagus met with President Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, urging the Lebanese government to commit to ending hostilities and reasserting state authority. She emphasized that disarming Hezbollah is “an essential part” of that process, adding that the Lebanese army is expected to take the lead in implementing it.

Pressed on when such a disarmament effort might begin, Ortagus said only, “As soon as possible.”