Lebanon FM tells Hezbollah : No going back on monopoly of arms by the state
Raji said :
'We have gone through decades of occupation and domination by factions that have no connection to Lebanon,' adding, 'There is no going back regarding the monopoly of arms decision.'
Raji confirmed that 'the army will present its plan for disarming Hezbollah in September, and may request an additional two weeks to present its final plan.'
Commenting on the visit of an Iranian official he said: 'I did not meet with Iranian official Ali Larijani because of his leaders' attacks on Lebanon, and I do not accept Iran arming a party outside the state.'
Raji revealed that 'we have repeatedly informed the Iranians of our rejection of interference in our affairs. We have no problem in expressing their opinion, but we reject their of the rebellion against the state.'
Raji emphasized that 'the Shiite sect is a hostage of Hezbollah, which exploits it, and whoever speaks of a civil war has the intention of igniting it.'
He was referring to a recent speech by Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem who threatened to ignite a civil war in Lebanon if the. army disarms it
The Shiites of Lebanon suffered the most in Hezbollah's wars with Israel .
Lebanon is currently seeking to establish state control over all arms, but does not yet have a monopoly, due to the presence of non-state actors like
Hezbollah
whose allegiance is to Iran. Since 1982 Iran has been funding , training and arming Hezbollah for the purpose of increasing its influence in the region.
In 2008 Hezbollah pointed its arms against the Lebanese people and there is a great concern , it may do it again
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