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Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on April 20 that disarming Hezbollah is a “delicate” matter whose implementation required the right circumstances, warning that forcing the issue could lead the country to ruin.
Speaking to reporters, Aoun stressed that restricting the bearing of arms to the state is “a sensitive, delicate issue that is fundamental to preserving civil peace” and requires due “consideration and responsibility.”
“We will implement” a state monopoly on bearing arms “but we have to wait for the circumstances” to allow this, he said, noting that “nobody is speaking to me about timing or pressure.”
“Any controversial domestic issue in Lebanon can only be approached through conciliatory, non-confrontational dialogue and communication. If not, we will lead Lebanon to ruin,” he added.
Lebanon has been facing increasing pressure from the United States to disarm Hezbollah, with Washington’s Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus going as far as describing the group as “cancer” during a visit to Beirut earlier this month.
Israel has also stepped up its strikes on Lebanon in recent weeks, challenging the ceasefire brokered by the U.S. last November ceasefire that ended over a year of fighting with Hezbollah.
The Lebanese military has been making efforts to enforce the ceasefire from its side. On April 20, it foiled a plot to launch rockets at Israel. Hezbollah was not involved in the plot. Still, multiple Israeli strikes hit southern Lebanon, destroying alleged infrastructure of the group and killing one of its senior members.
Earlier this month, Hezbollah showed willingness to discuss the future of its arsenal with the Lebanese president. Nevertheless, the continued escalation by Israel has apparently caused the group to reconsider the move.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem vowed in a televised speech on April 18 that the group “will not let anyone disarm” it.
Qassem said his group was ready for dialogue on a “defense strategy,” “but not under the pressure of occupation” by Israel.
Whether Hezbollah engages in talks with Aoun on the matter or not, Israel appears to be planning to renew the war on Lebanon.
Last month, Israel renewed its offensive against Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah, in the Gaza Strip, shattering a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. last January for no clear reason. Since then, the Israeli military has made major gains in the Palestinian enclave without facing much resistance. Thus it is logical to expect Israel to repeat the scenario in Lebanon. Hezbollah apparently understands this and is preparing for the worst.
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