Acting Army Chief broaches situation with MP Abdel Massih
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Ya Libnan
an hour ago
- Ya Libnan
Aoun tells US envoys: 'The ball is now in Israel's court' to commit to the ceasefire deal
A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency press office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (R) meeting with US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack (2-R), senior adviser at US Mission to the UN, Morgan Ortagus (2-L) and US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa A. EPA/LEBANESE PRESIDENCY HANDOUT Lebanese President Joseph Aoun held a meeting on Monday with US envoys Morgan Ortagus and Thomas Barrack at the Baabda Presidential Palace, the Lebanese Presidency said in a statement. Political tension lingers in Lebanon against the backdrop of disarming the Iran-backed Hezbollah party, and Lebanon's approval of a US proposal to disarm it. President Aoun had emphasized on Sunday that Lebanese authorities are keen on sparing Lebanon from any conflict that may arise after the Cabinet decision to disarm Hezbollah. On fears that internal divisions could emerge as a result, Aoun said that Lebanon 'has grown weary of internal conflicts' and that efforts will be exerted to prevent that. The President stated that Lebanon has agreed on the conditions of the US proposal and that the ball is now in Israel's court to commit to it. Aoun emphasized that authorities in Lebanon had no choice but to consent to the US proposal and to push 'Israel to agreeing on it'. Rejecting the plan would make Israel escalate its aggression against Lebanon, which in turn could lead Lebanon to an economic and political isolation, stated Aoun. Hezbollah had rejected the Lebanese government decision to disarm arguing that it will treat it 'as if it did not exist', accusing the cabinet of committing a 'grave sin'. Hezbollah argues that Israel must halt the attacks on Lebanese territories mainly in South Lebanon before any domestic debate about its weapons. Asharq-Al-Awsat
L'Orient-Le Jour
14 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Rifi threatens to take to the streets against Hezbollah
Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi threatened to take to the streets against Hezbollah if the party decides to confront the Lebanese domestic scene, he said in remarks to MTV. "I warn Naim Qassem against a reckless choice for which he will pay the price. We will confront you in the streets if we have to defend ourselves and we are capable of doing so," Rifi said, calling to "cut ties with Iran." Last Friday, Hezbollah's Secretary-General Naim Qassem reiterated warnings to the Salam government and President Joseph Aoun, stating that Hezbollah was ready for confrontation if disarmament were imposed on it. These statements prompted widespread criticism from several political officials. Softening Qassem's comments, Hezbollah's vice president of the political council, Mahmoud Qomati, said Saturday that the party was not "in an internal Lebanese confrontation," but that "the weapons of the resistance cannot be surrendered during occupation." The Salam government adopted at the beginning of August the roadmap proposed by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, which calls for the disarmament of armed groups — including Hezbollah — before the end of the year. The Israeli army continues to occupy five areas in southern Lebanon and carries out almost daily strikes in the country, despite the cease-fire that went into effect on Nov. 27, 2024, between Hezbollah and Israel.
L'Orient-Le Jour
14 hours ago
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Monopoly on weapons: No one wants a confrontation with the Lebanese Army, Mitri says
Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said Sunday in an interview with Al Jazeera that the government is working towards having only state authorities to control weapons, but disagreements remain on how to achieve the goal. He also urged avoiding 'accusations of treason, intimidation and threats.' His remarks followed a speech Friday by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem, who escalated threats against Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government, warning that Hezbollah was ready for confrontation if forced to disarm. Mitri said all ministers agreed on the state's monopoly over weapons, but differed on how to implement and manage the issue. He stressed that discussions were ongoing on how to approach Hezbollah's disarmament, according to Al Jazeera. He added that the government wanted to safeguard civil peace and that no one sought a confrontation with the Lebanese Army, which is due to present its weapons control plan to Cabinet at the end of August. Addressing the wider political debate, Mitri said, 'We should instead discuss how to put an end to Israeli aggressions and avoid internal divisions.' Qassem's remarks Friday — in which he declared Hezbollah would not surrender its weapons and was prepared for confrontation if forced to do so — drew sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Seeking to temper the rhetoric, Hezbollah political council deputy chief Mahmoud Qomati said Saturday that the party was not 'in an internal Lebanese confrontation,' but insisted that 'the weapons of the resistance cannot be handed over during an occupation.' At the beginning of August, Salam's government adopted the roadmap of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, which calls for the disarmament of armed groups, mainly Hezbollah, by the end of the year. The Israeli army, meanwhile, continues to occupy five hills in southern Lebanon and carries out near-daily strikes despite the cease-fire that took effect Nov. 27, 2024. Iranian pressure Mitri said implementation of the disarmament plan is hampered by both internal and external pressures. He noted that Iran is pushing for Hezbollah to retain its weapons, while Western countries are pressing for disarmament. He urged that Lebanon's interests be safeguarded and called for wisdom in handling the issue. He recalled that the previous government approved security arrangements under French and U.S. auspices on Nov. 27, 2024, to end the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. Those measures, he said, were endorsed by all ministers, including Hezbollah and Amal representatives. Mitri added that the American roadmap recently adopted by the Cabinet reaffirmed the cessation of hostilities.
