Hezbollah Prepares for Cabinet Arms Talks with Candid Aoun Meeting

Asharq Al-Awsat

6 days ago

Hezbollah sought to ease tensions ahead of a high-stakes Lebanese cabinet session next Tuesday by dispatching its parliamentary bloc chief, MP Mohammad Raad, to meet with President Joseph Aoun on Thursday night—just hours after Aoun publicly and explicitly called for the exclusive possession of weapons by the state for the first time.
The cabinet meeting, set to convene at the Baabda Presidential Palace, aims to resume discussions on enforcing the ministerial statement's clause affirming state sovereignty across Lebanese territory—using solely official security and military institutions.
That debate began during a cabinet session on April 17, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's office.
Sources familiar with the political maneuvering told Asharq al-Awsat the real challenge lies not in holding the session or reaffirming the principle of exclusive state arms—already enshrined in the ministerial agenda—but in establishing a clear timetable for disarmament and securing its approval by the government.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam underscored that point in a speech marking the 80th anniversary of the Lebanese Army on Friday, saying: 'There will be no salvation for Lebanon without serious efforts to place all arms under the sole control of our army. Stability can only come through extending the state's authority over all Lebanese territory, in line with the Taif Agreement and our government's ministerial statement.'
The Lebanese presidency did not officially acknowledge the meeting between Raad and General Aoun, while Hezbollah's media outlets offered a brief account, describing it as a 'candid discussion on many files' and 'positive, pending further developments.'
No agreement emerged from the meeting on a binding mechanism, according to sources speaking to Asharq al-Awsat. Instead, it opened the door for continued high-level dialogue between Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Salam—raising the likelihood that ministers from Hezbollah and its ally Amal movement may attend Tuesday's session, even though no final decision has been made.
Political contacts in Beirut are now focused on formulating proposals that would help the cabinet avoid internal friction while also satisfying international demands.
One such suggestion, according to sources, involves reaffirming the government's commitment to the exclusive possession of weapons—already included in the ministerial declaration—while deferring implementation details to the Supreme Defense Council and the army. Various domestic political forces are said to be involved in refining this compromise.
'These proposals aim to prevent the session from becoming a flashpoint for open confrontation between the state and Hezbollah,' the sources said. 'There is broad recognition—especially among the country's top three leaders—that this moment calls for safeguarding stability and preserving the space for dialogue.'
Sources close to Parliament viewed the mere occurrence of the meeting between Raad and Aoun as a 'positive' sign that major escalation was not imminent.
'It opened a channel to dispel mutual concerns,' one MP told Asharq al-Awsat, noting that Aoun began his public comments on disarmament by aligning himself with key Lebanese demands that Hezbollah itself shares.
These include the Israeli withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, halting violations of the ceasefire agreement—such as targeted assassinations—and launching reconstruction efforts and prisoner releases.
Hezbollah, in turn, sees the meeting as part of its ongoing dialogue with Aoun, particularly in light of his recent speech urging movement on the disarmament issue.
According to sources close to the group, Hezbollah agrees with Aoun's remarks but insists that other points warrant further discussion—especially given continued Israeli aggression and occupation of Lebanese land.
Addressing such sensitive matters publicly, they argue, weakens Lebanon's position under international pressure. 'We need unity, not fragmentation,' one Hezbollah source said. 'This is a time to consolidate our strength, not expose our internal divisions.'
Hezbollah has long argued that it has met its obligations under the ceasefire deal, including withdrawing from south of the Litani River, exercising restraint over Israeli violations, and refraining from joining Iran's military operations—underscoring that its weapons serve a local, not external, role.
The group also highlights its role in Lebanon's political process, saying it has cooperated constructively on reform efforts and consistently supported dialogue.
Lebanese officials have privately acknowledged mounting international pressure—particularly from the United States and Israel—to implement a disarmament plan with a clear timeline. While Israel continues to carry out airstrikes, US envoy Thomas Barrack recently delivered a paper of demands to Beirut that went beyond the existing ceasefire terms. He offered no guarantees but promised to present the document to Israeli officials once Lebanon accepted it.
Aoun confirmed on Thursday that the Lebanese authorities are committed to 'disarming all armed groups, including Hezbollah.'
In doing so, he revealed the contents of Lebanon's demands and sought to reassure Hezbollah's base by incorporating its concerns into the official memo—while asserting that the state remains the sole negotiator in resolving the crisis.
He also called on Hezbollah to fulfill its responsibilities in that regard.