Army to present disarmament plan on Sept. 2, according to Minister Tamara al-Zein
The government entrusted this task to the army a week ago in a Cabinet decision, which was described as 'historic' by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and criticized by Iran. The decision aligns with the American proposal to disarm Hezbollah and push Israel to withdraw from the sites it occupies in southern Lebanon, cementing the cease-fire reached last November. Supporters of Hezbollah have protested for several days in a row against this decision.
Zein was among the Shiite ministers who left the two meetings dedicated to restoring the state's monopoly on arms.
During her interview with al-Jadeed, the minister said, 'They should have taken their time before holding the two Cabinet sessions [on the weapons issue] in order to reach a consensus among the parties,' adding that 'discussing the document of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack amounts to an act of submission.' She also stated that 'there was a tacit agreement to postpone the adoption of the item on the exclusivity of weapons, but this commitment was not upheld.'
'The details of Barrack's document are worrisome; every point contains a 'trap,' and the Lebanese Army is carefully considering the plan and will discuss it with the Parliament speaker and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam,' she added.
Zein also said that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri 'will try until the last moment to prevent Lebanon from slipping into confrontation or tensions,' adding that 'it is totally out of the question for an internal Lebanese conflict to break out.' Berri, head of the Amal movement and an ally of Hezbollah, has ruled out any government resignation but also criticized those who objected to Wednesday's visit to Beirut by the Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, stressing that Hezbollah remained a 'major component' of the country.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
LBCI
an hour ago
- LBCI
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple sites across southern Lebanon and West Bekaa
Israeli airstrikes hit multiple locations in Lebanon, including Zellaya and the Jabour Heights in the West Bekaa, as well as Jarmaq and Berghoz in the south. A series of strikes also targeted an open area between Jarmaq and Mahmoudiyeh.
L'Orient-Le Jour
10 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun: Lebanon is not 'bankrupt,' but a 'stolen' country
President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday at Baabda Palace that "Lebanon is not bankrupt, but stolen," adding that "no country in the world goes bankrupt if it is properly managed. We have had governments that have mismanaged resources." The president was speaking before a delegation from the Lebanese Business Council in Abu Dhabi who had come to meet him at Baabda, on a day when he also presided over a judicial meeting with Justice Minister Adel Nassar and judges Souheil Abboud and Jamal Hajjar, and spoke with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber and the governor of the Central Bank (BDL), Karim Souhaid. Before the business council delegation, Aoun said that "our problem largely lies in corruption, as there has been no accountability. Today, justice is present, the files are open, and there are no bans or red lines. This is how things return to normal and confidence is restored between the state and the people, as well as between Lebanon and foreign countries." Since his election last January, the president has shown a willingness to break the deadlock on the important reform projects the country must launch to rebuild its shattered economy and financial system. 'The Lebanese imprint' Aoun also praised the role of the Lebanese diaspora around the world, which "has been the country's main support over the years." According to him, "the strength and wealth of Lebanon reside here: there is not a single major project, from Brazil to Australia via Africa, without a Lebanese imprint." His comments come at a time when many members of the diaspora no longer have access to their funds and savings, which have been illegally blocked in Lebanese banks since the start of the economic crisis in 2019. The real wealth of Lebanon does not lie in its "natural resources," but in "investment in its talents, skills, and human capital," he added, inviting the business council delegation to put their expertise at the country's service and to invest in it. 'Lebanon needs true justice' Aoun, the former commander of the army, also presided over a judicial meeting attended by Nassar, the president of the Supreme Judicial Council (CSM), Souheil Abboud, the public prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Jamal Hajjar, as well as the new prosecutors appointed as part of the transfers and appointments. "You bear the responsibility to deliver justice and apply the law to all citizens, without distinction or exception. Never deviate from the truth, whatever the circumstances or pressures," he said. And he added: "The law stands above everyone, and its application must be just and fair for each person, from the highest official to the simplest citizen. Stay close to the people and their concerns, and work to restore citizens' confidence in justice through honest and transparent efforts. Lebanon urgently needs true justice, capable of rebuilding trust in institutions and protecting human dignity." Aoun also met with the finance minister and the governor of the BDL about "the country's financial situation."
Ya Libnan
11 hours ago
- Ya Libnan
Syria prevents Larijani's plane from using its airspace during trip to Lebanon
Syria denied passage through its airspace to the plane carrying Iran's top security official, forcing the aircraft to take an alternate route to Lebanon, Turkish and Israeli media reported. Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, was traveling to Beirut when Syrian authorities blocked his flight from entering the country's airspace. The plane was forced to reroute through Iraqi and Turkish airspace to reach its destination. Syria's interim government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, has banned Iranian aircraft from crossing Syrian airspace since taking power following the fall of Bashar Assad's government in December last year. Under Assad, Syria was a key ally and transit route for Iranian weapons shipments to its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hands off Lebanon Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R) reaffirmed to Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and his accompanying delegation Lebanon's rejection of any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs LEBANON'S Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Wednesday reaffirmed Lebanon's rejection of any form of foreign interference in its internal affairs, calling on Iran to commit 'clearly and explicitly' to this principle. Speaking during a meeting in Beirut with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and his accompanying delegation, Salam stressed that decisions made by the Lebanese government 'are not to be subject to discussion in any other country,' adding that the seat of decision-making lies with the Council of Ministers and that 'Lebanon's decisions are made solely by the Lebanese people, who do not accept guardianship or dictates from anyone.' Salam underscored that any relationship with Lebanon must pass exclusively through its constitutional institutions, 'not through any political party or parallel channel.' Iran Wire
