Lebanese cabinet advances plan to disarm Hezbollah

Lebanon’s cabinet convened for a second time within days on Thursday to address the sensitive issue of disarming Hezbollah, just one day after the group outright rejected the government’s decision to remove its weapons.

The marathon meeting, lasting over four hours, focused on a US-backed proposal that outlines a framework and timetable for Hezbollah’s disarmament. Washington has been urging Lebanon to take concrete steps to enforce this plan.

Information Minister Paul Morcos confirmed that the cabinet agreed to introduce the US proposal but refrained from debating specific timelines. The government had previously stated that disarmament should be achieved by the end of 2025.

The proposed plan includes 11 key objectives, among them the “sustainability” of the November ceasefire agreement with 'Israel', and the “gradual end of the armed presence of all non-governmental entities, including Hezbollah, in all Lebanese territory.”

It also calls for the deployment of Lebanese army forces along the border regions and the withdrawal of 'Israeli' soldiers from five strategic positions they have occupied in southern Lebanon since last year’s war with Hezbollah.

The November ceasefire, which sought to halt over a year of hostilities between 'Israel' and Hezbollah, restricts weapons possession in Lebanon to six official security and military agencies.

Following Tuesday’s cabinet decision, Morcos indicated that the government is awaiting an “executive plan” from the Lebanese army to outline how to enforce the restriction of weapons to government forces. This plan is expected by the end of August and will inform the government’s detailed review of the US proposal, which hinges on approval from all involved countries.

- Political divisions and protests -

During Thursday’s meeting, four Shiite ministers, including three affiliated with Hezbollah or its ally, the Amal movement, walked out in protest against the government’s disarmament push, according to Hezbollah’s Al Manar television. They also refused to discuss the proposal put forth by US envoy Tom Barrack.

Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, closely aligned with Amal, told Al Manar that the government should first focus on consolidating the ceasefire and securing 'Israeli' withdrawal before tackling other elements of Barrack’s plan, such as Hezbollah’s disarmament.

In a statement on X, Barrack praised Lebanon’s “historic, bold, and correct decision this week to begin fully implementing” the November ceasefire.

Under the ceasefire, 'Israel' was supposed to withdraw all troops from Lebanon, but has maintained a presence in five border points considered strategically vital.

- Hezbollah’s strong rejection -

Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc condemned the government’s decision, accusing it of bowing to US demands that serve the interests of “the Zionist enemy,” referring to 'Israel'.

The group stated it would treat the government’s disarmament decision “as if it did not exist” and denounced the cabinet’s move as a “grave sin.”

'Israel', which continues to conduct airstrikes in Lebanon despite the ceasefire, has warned it would not hesitate to launch military action if Beirut fails to disarm Hezbollah.

On Thursday, the Lebanese health ministry reported several 'Israeli' strikes in eastern Lebanon, killing at least seven people.