Hezbollah upholds ceasefire, army to contain weapons by year-end, says Lebanese PM

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed in a Sunday interview on Al-Jadeed TV that Hezbollah has adhered to the terms of the ceasefire agreement with 'Israel'.

He added that Hezbollah lawmakers had approved the government’s ministerial statement, meaning the group is expected to comply with the plan to centralize weapons under state authority across all regions of Lebanon.

Salam noted that the removal of weapons will follow a phased approach in line with the Lebanese army’s operational plan. He said the goal is for the army to complete containment of weapons in southern Litani by the end of the year, emphasizing that containment means preventing arms from being transferred to other areas of the country.

The prime minister stressed the importance of securing international support to help the army implement the plan. He also said that the matter of Rudolf Heikal’s canceled visit to Washington is currently under review.

On the broader security situation, Salam said the difficult period began before Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Lebanon, pointing to a significant escalation by 'Israeli' forces. He also dismissed rumors that Egypt had conveyed Lebanon’s latest appeal.

Regarding the papal visit, Salam described it as bringing international attention and value to Lebanon, with its central message focused on peacebuilding.

He confirmed that Pope Leo XIV is aware of Lebanon’s economic and political crises and is monitoring whether measures are being taken to address them.