Following a marathon five-hour session, the Lebanese government has officially instructed the Lebanese Army to develop a comprehensive plan for collecting weapons from all armed groups — including Hezbollah — by the end of 2025. The army has been directed to submit the plan no later than August 31.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, speaking at a press conference after the cabinet meeting chaired by the President of the Republic, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which calls for the exclusive right of the Lebanese state to bear arms.
Salam emphasized that the government is determined to restore state sovereignty and ensure that the monopoly on weapons remains solely with official institutions. He also noted that discussions on the so-called “American paper” regarding Hezbollah’s arms and border arrangements would continue through Thursday.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah has refused to commit to any timetable for relinquishing its weapons, underscoring the deep divisions and challenges the Lebanese state faces in asserting its authority over all armed factions.
