In a defiant response to the Lebanese government's call for arms control, Hezbollah has labeled the decision as a "grave sin" and vows to maintain its weapons. This comes amid international pressure for disarmament following the group's past military conflicts.
Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon's Arms Control Plan as 'Grave Sin'
Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon's Arms Control Plan as 'Grave Sin'
The militant group dismisses government efforts to establish a monopoly on arms, citing foreign influence and a commitment to its arsenal.
Hezbollah has condemned the Lebanese government’s recent initiative to impose restrictions on arms, calling it "a grave sin." The Shia militant group has firmly declared its intention to ignore this governmental decision, which aims to establish a state monopoly on arms through the military. In a statement released on Wednesday, Hezbollah maintained its longstanding position, asserting that the decree would be treated as nonexistent.
The backdrop to this declaration lies in increasing international pressures urging the group to disarm after significant losses during last year's conflict with Israel. Despite these pressures, Hezbollah remains resolute, defying requests from both the United States and its local adversaries for disarmament.
Hezbollah has accused the Lebanese cabinet of acting under American "diktats," framing their call for arms control as an externally influenced maneuver. While the group has expressed a willingness to engage in discussions regarding national security strategies, it insists that these talks not occur under the “context of aggression.”
The Lebanese cabinet has tasked the military with crafting a plan to rein in arms possession, aiming for completion by year-end. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that a proposal would be submitted for cabinet discussion by the end of this month. Previous American proposals suggested that full disarmament of Hezbollah could lead to a halt in Israeli military actions and an Israeli withdrawal from five occupied regions in southern Lebanon, which persist despite a ceasefire established last November.
During the cabinet meeting, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated the group’s refusal to discuss its weapons as long as Israeli assaults continue, insisting that such strikes violate the terms of the ceasefire. Israel, for its part, argues that its military actions are necessary to thwart Hezbollah's efforts to regroup and enhance its military arsenal.
Despite having faced setbacks, Hezbollah maintains considerable support within Lebanon's Shia community. However, the ongoing discourse surrounding disarmament threatens to heighten tensions in a country still haunted by the scars of the 1975-1990 civil war.
