Latest news with #LebaneseForces
L'Orient-Le Jour
2 days ago
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Despite criticism, Parliament renews confidence in Salam government
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emerged unscathed from the first general policy debate in Parliament since his government was formed in February. A majority of 69 out of 82 MPs present renewed their confidence in the government, despite a sense of disappointment in the country, particularly due to the slow progress on the issue of Hezbollah's disarmament. The prime minister was able to overcome this challenge thanks notably to the Hezbollah-Amal alliance and the Lebanese Forces, to whom he is, once again, was at the request of Gebran Bassil that Parliament on Wednesday held a vote to renew confidence in the Salam government. Unsurprisingly, the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement withheld his bloc's support from the cabinet. But he was able to put his opponents, starting with the Lebanese Forces, face to face with their...
Nahar Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
MPs meet in plenary session focused on Hezbollah disarmament
by Naharnet Newsdesk 8 hours Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan criticized Tuesday the government's lack of progress in restoring the state's authority and disarming Hezbollah as lawmakers convened in a plenary session focused on Hezbollah's disarmament. "We don't want the government of hope to become a government of missed opportunities," Adwan said. Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Jebran Bassil said he supports Hezbollah's disarmament but not by force, while Hezbollah MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi urged "those who claim to be friends of Lebanon" to provide the Lebanese army with defensive weapons "to protect the country against the enemy." "We all know there is no political decision to support the (Lebanese)army and there is a veto against arming it," he said. MP Jamil al-Sayyed criticized U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein, Morgan Ortagus, and Tom Barrack, who he said "threatened Lebanon with civil war". "It's as if we've become an experimental field for these envoys." MP Fouad Makhzoumi called for Hezbollah's disarmament and proposed to discuss it in a cabinet session.
Roya News
4 days ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Hezbollah disarmament dominates Lebanese Parliament amidst 'Israeli' strikes
The Lebanese Parliament convened a general session today, Tuesday, July 15, to discuss the government's policies, with the contentious issue of Hezbollah's weaponry dominating proceedings. The session saw renewed and sharp calls for the state to exclusively control all arms in Lebanon. This parliamentary debate, the first of its kind in a long time, according to Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, occurred against a backdrop of heightened tensions. During the session, 'Israeli' aircraft conducted low-altitude overflights, including over Beirut, later on, intense 'Israeli' airstrikes targeted the eastern and western Lebanese mountain ranges. These strikes reportedly resulted in at least 12 fatalities, including Syrian and Lebanese nationals, and 7 injuries. Calls for state monopoly on arms During the morning session, the Lebanese Forces party prominently called on the government to establish a clear timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament. MP Georges Adwan stated, "This is the government's last chance and there's a need to move quickly. The government must hold the decisions on war and peace." This position was supported by MP Pierre Bou Assi, who added, "Everything must begin with strengthening sovereignty. 'Israel' will not withdraw from southern Lebanon before Hezbollah's weapons are withdrawn." Other lawmakers, including independent MP Michel Moawad, also pressed the government on its plan and timetable for resolving the arms issue. MP Yassine Yassine emphasized that the "arms monopoly is not a slogan but a constitutional and political rule without which the state and the presidency will not be able to recover." Despite the Lebanese constitution stipulating the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the state, implementing this principle remains a major point of political division. Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab acknowledged the session would likely feature "contradictory statements from all sides, as well as calls for a monopoly on arms and for reconstruction." He also questioned the government's commitment to the Taif Agreement's national accord document, which calls for liberating Lebanese territories from Israeli Occupation. US roadmap, e scalating tensions The parliamentary discussions coincided with Lebanon's review of Washington's response to proposals from US envoy Thomas Barrack. Barrack's "roadmap" for peace in the region includes a demand for a timeline for Hezbollah's disarmament and other armed factions, with a clear implementation mechanism to be set by the Lebanese government. Sources indicate that the US has given Lebanon until the end of the current year to resolve the Hezbollah weapons issue. Hezbollah's stance remains firm, with its chief Naim Qassem stating that the group would not disarm until 'Israel' ends its aggression and withdraws from southern Lebanon. He previously asserted that Hezbollah's weapons would not be on the negotiating table unless 'Israel' "withdraws from the occupied territories, stops its aggression, releases the prisoners, and reconstruction begins." MPs in the session also urged the government to take a firm stance against the ongoing Israeli violations of the ceasefire. 'Israeli' Defence Minister Israel Katz, on Tuesday, stated that 'Israeli' military strikes underway in Lebanon send a "clear message" to Hezbollah, accusing the group of plotting to rebuild its forces. Crossroads for Lebanon The parliamentary session underscores the sensitive political crossroads facing Lebanon. The domestic push for disarming militias, particularly Hezbollah, intertwines with ongoing calls for a complete 'Israeli' withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territories.
Nahar Net
4 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
MPs meet in plenary session focused on Hezbollah disarmament
by Naharnet Newsdesk 15 July 2025, 14:25 Lebanese Forces MP George Adwan criticized Tuesday the government's lack of progress in restoring the state's authority and disarming Hezbollah as lawmakers convened in a plenary session focused on Hezbollah's disarmament. "We don't want the government of hope to become a government of missed opportunities," Adwan said. Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Jebran Bassil said he supports Hezbollah's disarmament but not by force, while Hezbollah MP Ibrahim al-Moussawi urged "those who claim to be friends of Lebanon" to provide the Lebanese army with defensive weapons "to protect the country against the enemy." "We all know there is no political decision to support the (Lebanese)army and there is a veto against arming it," he said. MP Jamil al-Sayyed criticized U.S. envoys Amos Hochstein, Morgan Ortagus, and Tom Barrack, who he said "threatened Lebanon with civil war". "It's as if we've become an experimental field for these envoys." MP Fouad Makhzoumi called for Hezbollah's disarmament and proposed to discuss it in a cabinet session.
LBCI
5 days ago
- Politics
- 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."
