MP Fouad Makhzoumi calls Barrak's position a 'wake up call'. Urges the state to be courageous in its decision on illegal arms
Greater Lebanon, which we are proud to belong to and defend, requires courageous action at a fateful stage. What is required of the state is to withdraw all illegal weapons, effectively extend its authority over its land and borders, and dismantle the illegal military and security structures.
Otherwise, God forbid, Lebanon will be on the political and economic waiting list. The Lebanese are waiting for courageous decisions from their state that go beyond the equations of buying time and managing the crisis.'
Existential threat
Makhzoumi's comments come after US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned, in an interview with the Emirati newspaper The National, that Lebanon risks falling into the hands of regional powers unless Beirut moves to resolve the issue of Hezbollah's arms.
He pointed out that 'Lebanon needs to resolve this issue, otherwise it could face an existential threat,' adding, 'Israel on one side, Iran on the other, and now Syria is emerging very quickly. If Lebanon doesn't act, it will return to the Levant.'
He added, 'The Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we have to act. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. This frustrates me too.'
The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia was severely weakened in its war with Israel. The ceasefire that was agreed last November between Israel and Hezbollah was based on UN resolution 1701 and 1559 which call for disarming all militia in Lebanon.
Following his election last January president Joseph Aoun pledged to make the Lebanese army the only entity allowed to bear arms but he has been overly cautious and reluctant in taking the ultimate decision of disarming Hezbollah for fear of a civil war. The majority of the Lebanese have been pressing Aoun to act in resolving the issue of Hezbollah arms and many leaders threatened to pull out of the government if Aoun does not act.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Nahar Net
an hour ago
- Nahar Net
When will US respond to Lebanese paper?
When will US respond to Lebanese paper? Lebanon is still waiting for the U.S. response to its 'dual' response to U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's paper, which according to ministerial sources is not expected to be very imminent, Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said. The U.S. response might 'take some additional days,' the sources added. 'The U.S. side is looking into the Lebanese response, which was not limited to the paper presented by President Joseph Aoun but also included the remarks submitted (separately) by Speaker Nabih Berri,' the sources said. 'Accordingly, it is looking into the differences between the two papers as well as the identical aspects, which might take some time,' the sources added. 'The Lebanese side is still waiting for a phone call from the U.S. ambassador to Beirut, who is supposed to relay the response which is mainly based on the removal of Hezbollah's arms according to what was agreed on in the latest meetings,' the sources went on to say. Lebanese presidential circles meanwhile told al-Joumhouria newspaper that the U.S. will respond to the official Lebanese response and also to "Hezbollah's proposals" at the end of this month. Barrack had said that he was very satisfied by the Lebanese response to the U.S. paper while warning that Lebanon risks being left behind as change sweeps other countries in the region.
Nahar Net
an hour ago
- Nahar Net
Aoun vows to preserve Lebanon's 'territorial integrity'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours President Joseph Aoun on Monday pledged to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity, in the wake of the storm of controversy sparked by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's latest remarks about Lebanon and Syria. 'Lebanon's territorial integrity is a national principle that is enshrined in the constitution and protected by the Lebanese Army and the will of the Lebanese who have offered sacrifices throughout the years to preserve it,' Aoun said. "After my election as president, I took an oath to preserve the country's independence and territorial integrity and mistaken are those who think that he who has taken two oaths to defend a unified Lebanon might break his oath for any reason or might accept any similar proposals,' the president added. As for the thorny issue of Hezbollah's arms, Aoun reiterated that 'the decision to monopolize arms in the hands of the state has been taken, in line with the Taif Accord.' 'This matter, alongside having the decisions of peace and war in the hands of the state, are among the main components and essential principles of any state,' the president added. Barrack has warned in an interview with the UAE's The National newspaper that Lebanon risks being swallowed by regional powers unless it acts to address Hezbollah's arms and implement reforms. 'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, using the historical name for the Syria region. 'Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. It frustrates me,' he added. Barrack later clarified that his remarks were not a 'threat to Lebanon.' 'My comments … praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's (U.S. President Donald Trump's) lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,' Barrack said in a post on X. 'I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,' Barrack added.
LBCI
2 hours ago
- LBCI
LF official Joseph Gebeily to LBCI: Resignation from government is not on the table
Joseph Gebeily, a member of the executive committee of the Lebanese Forces, confirmed that the party is not considering resigning from the government, emphasizing its role as a key player within the current administration. "We consider ourselves part of the core team of this government and the presidential term," Gebeily told LBCI, adding, "We see a major opportunity for Lebanon with the people currently in positions of responsibility, although we do have some reservations." Addressing the issue of Hezbollah's arms, Gebeily stressed that the party should hand over its weapons to the Lebanese Army. "Where is the betrayal or treason in that?" he asked. He pointed to past periods in Lebanon's modern history when the Lebanese Army was in control of the borders, stating that "the Israelis did not dare to approach." He added, "With its current capabilities, the army can deter Israel. As for Hezbollah, what deterrence? On the contrary, it has escalated tensions."
