Bassil: Hezbollah's weapons have lost their deterrent function
This issue is at the center of divisions between Hezbollah and Nawaf Salam's government. Last week, the latter adopted the U.S. roadmap for Hezbollah's disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from South Lebanon. The plan aims to make permanent the cease-fire agreement reached at the end of last November between Hezbollah and Israel, following more than a year of conflict.
While the U.S. welcomed the Cabinet's decision, Iran strongly criticized it, drawing backlash from Lebanese diplomats. Against this backdrop, the secretary-general of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani, is expected Wednesday in Beirut for an official visit.
Jab at Hezbollah
"The FPM adopts a clear position, affirming the absolute necessity of reserving weapons and their command solely and indivisibly for the state," said Bassil. "This position stems from the principle of state sovereignty and the unity of security and military decision-making. According to this principle, the possession and use of weapons must be exclusively in the hands of legitimate institutions," he added. He also justified this stance by referencing the Taif Accords, which ended the 1975-1990 Civil War, as well as international resolutions, particularly U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, both of which call for the disarmament of militias.
"The deterrent function of Hezbollah's weapons has collapsed because of the consequences of its unilateral participation in the support war. It has lost its deterrent capacity following the latest war, even if it retains a limited defensive ability in the event of an attempted Israeli occupation of Lebanon," Bassil also stated.
"The involvement of these weapons in regional and international equations beyond Lebanon's capacity led them to lose their purely Lebanese identity, which we had managed to establish in the 2006 memorandum of understanding by restricting them to the defense of the country within the framework of a defense strategy devised by the state," he continued.
The FPM leader finally took a jab at his former ally on the political scene by highlighting "Hezbollah's non-compliance with its commitment to state-building, which constituted a break from the 2006 memorandum of understanding and a missed opportunity, under Michel Aoun's presidency, to build a strong state, both politically and economically."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Qassem hails Iran's support in meeting with Larijani
BEIRUT — Hezbollah's secretary-general Naim Qassem met Wednesday evening with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, and thanked him for Iran's continued support for Lebanon and the resistance. Earlier in the day, Larijani held talks with top Lebanese officials, including President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both of whom criticized Iran's position on key national issues. Tehran has rejected the Lebanese government's plan to reclaim its monopoly on arms — a move that would require the disarmament of Hezbollah. Larijani was also received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a close ally of Hezbollah. Despite the tensions, the Iranian official insisted that Tehran does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs. During his meeting with Larjani, announced in a brief statement by Hezbollah, Qassem "thanked the Islamic Republic for its continued support for Lebanon and the resistance against the Israeli enemy." He also praised Tehran's willingness to defend "Lebanon's unity, sovereignty and independence" and wished for "brotherly relations between the Lebanese and Iranian peoples." Larijani also visited the grave of Hassan Nasrallah, Qassem's predecessor, on Wednesday evening, where he told the "youth of Hezbollah": "If you want to move forward on Nasrallah's path, it is your duty to stand firm and persevere in resistance." Larijani also stressed during his meetings that he rejects a Lebanese decision to disarm Hezbollah before the end of the year and called for a "friendly, comprehensive and serious dialogue in Lebanon."
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Gaza governor's name emerges in postwar talks
Create an account to see the results of the poll You can enjoy 3 free articles by creating an account Email Address Password I would like to receive special offers from L'Orient Today as well as selections of the best articles. Register By creating an account, you agree to the terms and conditions of use and our privacy policy. Register Or register with: Facebook Google Log in to your account to see the results of the polls E-mail Password Log in I forgot my password Log in with Facebook Log in with Google Near a dying enclave, mediators are working hard to finalize what seems to be Gaza's last chance deal, which could potentially stop the full extension of the Israeli offensive — as bombings have already increased on Gaza City — and the military occupation of the entire Egypt's foreign minister discussed a proposal for a 60-day truce on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later aligned with the change in the U.S. position after the failure of the latest negotiations. He told Israeli channel i24 that partial agreements are now "behind us."Last July, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff stated he now supported an "all or nothing" approach after pulling back his negotiators, blaming Hamas for the failure of the talks. Although the framework of an agreement has yet to be defined,... Near a dying enclave, mediators are working hard to finalize what seems to be Gaza's last chance deal, which could potentially stop the full extension of the Israeli offensive — as bombings have already increased on Gaza City — and the military occupation of the entire Egypt's foreign minister discussed a proposal for a 60-day truce on Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later aligned with the change in the U.S. position after the failure of the latest negotiations. He told Israeli channel i24 that partial agreements are now "behind us."Last July, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff stated he now supported an "all or nothing" approach after pulling back his negotiators, blaming Hamas for the failure of the talks. Although the framework of an agreement has yet to be defined,... You have reached your article limit Bring clarity to every conversation this summer! Subscribe for $6.9/month instead of $12.9 for your first year. Already have an account? Log in
L'Orient-Le Jour
an hour ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Larijani challenges Beirut's will, but Aoun and Salam remain resolute
Ali Larijani made it clear. During his visit to Beirut, the secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council clearly conveyed Tehran's order to Hezbollah: Lebanon's rule that only the state can have weapons must be ignored. Speaking from Ain al-Tineh after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the Iranian envoy stated that his country 'does not support certain decisions setting a precise timeline' to disarm Hezbollah, instead calling for a 'friendly, comprehensive and serious dialogue in Lebanon.' 'We respect any decision taken by the government in coordination with all factions,' he added. While Berri remained silent, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stood their ground. During the meeting at the presidential palace, the head of state set the tone: 'We reject any interference in our internal affairs, regardless of the source, and we want the Lebanese scene to remain safe and stable in the interest of all Lebanese, without discrimination.' The president recalled that his country 'never interferes in the affairs of other countries, nor does it accept any interference in its own.' He emphasized, 'No group can be allowed to bear arms and rely on foreign parties,' adding that it is the duty of the legitimate armed forces to defend and protect all Lebanese. According to the president's X account, Aoun also condemned 'the language recently used by some Iranian officials regarding Lebanon, which is not helpful,' noting that the country 'wishes to cooperate with Iran but only within the limits of sovereignty and friendship, based on mutual respect.' Salam went even further. While giving his guest a calm reception at the Grand Serail, the prime minister said that 'the Lebanese government's decisions must not be discussed in another country, as the center of decision-making is the Parliament, and Lebanon's decisions are made solely by the Lebanese, who accept neither guardianship nor diktat,' saying he expected Tehran to 'respect these rules.' He insisted that 'all relations with Lebanon must be conducted exclusively through its constitutional institutions, not by any political party or parallel channel,' adding, 'Any external assistance is welcome, provided it passes through official channels.' 'It is time to turn this page' Salam further stated that 'the recent statements of certain Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Ali Akbar Velayati and Brigadier General Iraj Masjedi, deputy commander of the al-Quds Force of the Revolutionary Guards, are rejected in both form and substance.' According to him, 'these positions, which directly criticize Lebanese decisions taken by the country's constitutional authorities and include a clear threat, are a flagrant violation of diplomatic norms and an affront to the principle of mutual respect for sovereignty — the basis of any healthy bilateral relationship and an essential foundation of international relations and international law.' Speaking to the press after the meeting, the prime minister recalled that 'Lebanon is a small country that has long suffered from external interference,' asserting that 'it is time to turn this page.' 'Lebanon will not accept being used as a platform to settle scores or as a messenger box. Our sovereign decisions are based on our national interest, including any planning or timeline for the state monopoly on arms," he concluded. 'The official position of the Islamic Republic' Larijani's visit occurs as Iran has repeatedly expressed opposition to the Lebanese government's decision to disarm Hezbollah. In this context, the senior Iranian official said his country 'does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs,' and that the statements he made upon arriving in Beirut 'reflect the official position of the Islamic Republic of Iran.' At Beirut airport, the Iranian official stated that his country plans to always 'defend Lebanon's higher interests.' In his meeting with President Aoun, Larijani reiterated his invitation for the head of state to visit Tehran and expressed Iran's willingness 'to help Lebanon with reconstruction' if the government requests it. He then met with Berri, whom he called a 'friend' and 'an influential man in Lebanon.' Speaking to the press from Ain al-Tineh, he said Tehran has not prepared any 'document, as the Americans have done,' in reference to the roadmap by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, and emphasized that Iran 'does not interfere in Lebanon's internal affairs.' The Iranian official told MTV that no meeting was scheduled with Foreign Minister Joe Rajji due to 'lack of time.' In response, the Lebanese foreign minister stated that even if Larijani 'had had the time, I wouldn't have met with him.' The Iranian official's convoy was greeted outside the airport by dozens of Hezbollah supporters. Billboards displayed photos of Larijani and Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, with the words 'Khoch Amadid, Ahla w sahla,' meaning 'Welcome' in Persian and Arabic. As the paper was going to press, Larijani's meeting — after he paid his respects at the grave of Hassan Nasrallah, former Hezbollah leader — with the party's secretary-general, Naim Qassem, had not yet been announced. Still, the group clearly seemed to have received the Iranian message. Speaking to Al Jadeed TV, Wafik Safa, head of Hezbollah's liaison and coordination unit (considered to lead the party's formidable security apparatus), declared: 'The surrender of our arsenal will not happen.'
