Latest news with #LebaneseState
Asharq Al-Awsat
2 days ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lebanon Edges Toward Divergence with Hezbollah Over US Arms Proposal
Tensions are surfacing between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state over a US-backed proposal that calls for exclusive control of weapons by Lebanon's official security institutions. While the government is reportedly open to constructive dialogue with Washington's envoy, Thomas Barrack, Hezbollah has set new preconditions that effectively stall any immediate progress. In a speech Friday evening, Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem framed the US initiative as an 'existential threat,' declaring that the group would not engage in discussions on national defense until such a threat is 'removed.' Qassem cited three dangers facing Lebanon: Israel along the southern border, extremist factions in the east, and what he called American efforts to 'control' Lebanon politically and militarily. His remarks come just days before Barrack is expected to return to Beirut for a third visit. US officials are awaiting a formal response to a proposal delivered last week, which urges Lebanon to adopt a clear timetable, ending by December, for implementing exclusive state control of all armed forces. Government sources say a committee representing President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has made significant progress in drafting Lebanon's reply. That response is expected to reflect a more flexible stance than Hezbollah's, possibly committing to a phased process to bring all arms under state control, without directly confronting the group. While Hezbollah has previously hinted at a willingness to hand over its heavy weapons - such as precision missiles and drones - it now insists that Israel must first meet a series of demands. These include withdrawal from five contested points in southern Lebanon, the release of Lebanese detainees, an end to airspace violations, and the start of reconstruction efforts in war-hit areas. Meanwhile, opposition figures, particularly from the Lebanese Forces party, say Hezbollah is using the rhetoric of 'resistance' to maintain its military grip. A party source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hezbollah's real aim is to keep its weapons while offering limited gestures, such as withdrawing from areas south of the Litani River - an approach rejected by both the Lebanese government and Washington. The source warned that failure to engage with the current diplomatic opening could expose Lebanon to renewed violence, noting that Hezbollah has already missed previous opportunities for de-escalation. 'The risk isn't just political, it's national,' the source said.
LBCI
21-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanese, Palestinian presidents say era of weapons 'outside Lebanese state control' over
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmoud Abbas said Wednesday that weapons should be under Lebanese state control, meeting in Beirut to discuss disarming Palestinian refugee camps in the country. A joint statement released by the Lebanese presidency said the two leaders share the "belief that the era of weapons outside Lebanese state control has ended," adding that both had expressed commitment to the principle that arms should be exclusively "in the hands of the Lebanese state." AFP
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese, Palestinian presidents say era of weapons ‘outside Lebanese state control' over
BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and his Palestinian counterpart Mahmud Abbas said Wednesday that weapons should be under Lebanese state control, meeting in Beirut to discuss disarming Palestinian refugee camps in the country. A joint statement released by the Lebanese presidency said the two leaders share the 'belief that the era of weapons outside Lebanese state control has ended,' adding that both had expressed commitment to the principle that arms should be exclusively 'in the hands of the Lebanese state.'
Al Manar
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Hezbollah MP Denounces Israeli Aggression, Slams Performance of Some Lebanese Media Outlets
Member of Hezbollah's Loyalty to Resistance bloc MP Ibrahim Al-Moussawi denounced the new Israeli aggression which targeted the town of Janta in Bekaa, calling on the Lebanese State to act immediately. In a statement quoted by the Reuters news agency, MP Al-Moussawi described the Israeli attack as 'a very dangerous violation and a blatant and explicit aggression'. 'The Lebanese state, represented by the presidency, the government and the army, is required to take immediate action,' the Hezbollah lawmaker added. Two people were martyred and 10 others were wounded in an overnight Israeli strike on the village of Janta in the eastern province of Baalbek early on Friday. 🇱🇧Lebanon: Occupation launched raids on Syrian-Lebanese border, around Janta in Bekaa‼️ — Ellen Jean Abare (@EllenJeanAbare) January 31, 2025 Performance of Lebanese Media On the other hand, the Hezbollah MP slammed some Lebanese media outlets over their coverage of the latest events taking place in south Lebanon including the epic confrontations against the Israeli occupation forces which missed the January 26 withdrawal deadline on Sunday. In an interview with Al-Manar, MP Al-Moussawi categorized the performance of the Lebanese media outlets to three levels. The negligent media outlets, he said, referring to the performance of the state TV, which the lawmaker said broadcast cartoons on Sunday, when at least 22 people were martyred and more than 120 others were injured by Israeli attacks in south Lebanon. The second type of media outlets was those which 'lack national immunity', according to Al-Moussawi, who said that they covered Sunday's event 'in a way that serves the enemy's agenda by focusing on destruction and blaming the resistance over the tragedy that was a result of the Israeli aggression.' The Hezbollah lawmaker then talked about the third type of Lebanese media outlets, which were 'objective and adhered to the national identity and reflected the true image of the legendary steadfastness of people and resistance.'
Al Manar
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
Head of Hezbollah Parliamentary Bloc on New Israeli Attacks: Right of Resistance Sacred
Head of Hezbollah's Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Mohammad Raad lashed out at the Israeli enemy on Wednesday over the new aggression that targeted southern towns of Nabatieh and Zawtar a day earlier. In remarks carried by the local media, the Hezbollah lawmaker stressed that the right of resistance against the Israeli enemy is legitimate and sacred, calling for an action against the repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon. 'The Zionist aggression on Nabatieh and Zawtar is a new example of the permanent threat posed by this entity against our people and our country,' MP Raad said. He slammed the international community's disregard to the Israeli noting that this international behavior towards the Zionist entity 'led to this rampage that doesn't care about international laws.' 'The Israeli aggression confirms our belief in the legitimate right to hold the national and moral responsibility of resistance.' 'The right of our people in Lebanon to confront the occupation is a legitimate and sacred right that is practiced in the appropriate time and place,' the Hezbollah lawmaker stated. He called for uniting the popular will of the Lebanese people along with efforts of the Lebanese State and its concerned institutions in a bid to confront the enemy and defend the homeland and the people. The Israeli enemy violated the ceasefire with Lebanon anew on Tuesday, launching two air raids on Nabatieh and Zawtar, leaving at least 14 injuries. بالفيديو | مشاهد من مكان الحدث في النبطية الفوقا — قناة المنار (@TVManar1) January 28, 2025
