The Lebanese government convened at the presidential palace today afternoon to deliberate on the contentious issue of restricting arms possession solely to the state — a move that comes amid growing pressure from the United States to set a timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah.
According to Lebanon’s National News Agency, the Council of Ministers met at 3:00 pm local time (12:00 GMT) under the chairmanship of President Joseph Aoun.
The primary focus was on advancing the implementation of the government’s ministerial declaration, particularly the clause calling for the extension of state sovereignty across Lebanese territory using only official security forces.
The meeting also included discussions on ceasefire arrangements that followed the November 27 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, signaling Beirut’s attempt to navigate sensitive regional tensions while asserting national control over armed groups.
While no immediate decisions were announced, the meeting reflects a broader push by international partners — particularly Washington — to ensure that armed groups operate only under state authority in Lebanon, a challenge the country has grappled with for decades.
