Latest news with #PierreBouAssi


Ya Libnan
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Lebanon's last chance: Disarm Hezbollah and cut ties with Iran
Funeral of the 6 Lebanese soldiers killed in blast at Hezbollah arms depot near the Israel border in South Lebanon By Ali Hussein, Lebanese politica analyst The killing of six Lebanese soldiers in Wadi Zibqin should shock the nation into action. These soldiers were not fighting an invading army—they were dismantling a Hezbollah weapons depot concealed in a residential neighborhood near the Israeli border. Their mission, part of the November ceasefire's disarmament mandate, ended in a deadly explosion that once again exposed the lethal cost of allowing an Iran-backed militia to operate above the law. According to the Lebanese Army, the soldiers died while dismantling the depot's contents. The fact that such stockpiles exist at all—let alone in civilian areas—confirms that Hezbollah's weapons are not only a threat to Israel but also to Lebanon itself. Every hidden cache is a potential bomb waiting to kill Lebanese soldiers, civilians, and children. Hezbollah is not merely a political party—it is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, the UK, Germany, and several other nations. Its track record includes hijackings, bombings, assassinations, and serving as a proxy for Iran's regional military agenda. By keeping its own armed forces outside the control of the Lebanese state, Hezbollah undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and drags it into conflicts it did not choose. Lebanon must now take decisive action: cut off diplomatic relations with Iran, formally designate Hezbollah as a terrorist organization under its own laws, and request direct international assistance—whether through the United Nations or allied nations—to disarm the group. Anything less is an abdication of the state's duty to protect its people and preserve its sovereignty. MP Pierre Bou Assi put it plainly: 'Disarming Hezbollah has become an absolute necessity, even by force. Its continued presence poses an existential threat to Lebanon.' He warned that the absence of a functioning state fuels instability and risks plunging Lebanon into civil war. If the state reclaims its authority, Hezbollah will have no choice but to surrender its arms—because disarmament is no longer optional, it is survival. For decades, Hezbollah's arms have dragged Lebanon into wars it did not choose—2006, Syria's war, and repeated border clashes. The group has hidden weapons in Beirut's port, in schools, and in family neighborhoods. Now, six soldiers have paid with their lives to dismantle just one of those arsenals. Lebanon cannot survive as both a state and a battleground for a militia's regional agenda. Either the Lebanese state finally takes full control of all weapons, or Hezbollah's weapons will control Lebanon's fate. The choice is stark, the time is now—and the cost of delay will be measured in more Lebanese lives.


Ya Libnan
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Six soldiers killed — Lebanon must disarm Hezbollah before it's too late
By : Ya Libnan The killing of six Lebanese soldiers in Wadi Zibqin should shock the nation into action. These soldiers were not fighting an invading army—they were dismantling a Hezbollah weapons depot concealed in a residential neighborhood near the Israeli border. Their mission, part of the November ceasefire's disarmament mandate, ended in a deadly explosion that once again exposed the lethal cost of allowing an Iran-backed militia to operate above the law. Funeral of the 6 Lebanese soldiers killed in blast at Hezbollah arms depot near Israel border in South Lebanon According to the Lebanese Army, the soldiers died while dismantling the depot's contents. The fact that such stockpiles exist at all—let alone in civilian areas—confirms that Hezbollah's weapons are not only a threat to Israel but also to Lebanon itself. Every hidden cache is a potential bomb waiting to kill Lebanese soldiers, civilians, and children. Hezbollah is not merely a political party—it is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, Canada, the UK, Germany, and several other nations. Its track record includes hijackings, bombings, assassinations, and serving as a proxy for Iran's regional military agenda. By keeping its own armed forces outside the control of the Lebanese state, Hezbollah undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and drags it into conflicts it did not choose. MP Pierre Bou Assi put it plainly: 'Disarming Hezbollah has become an absolute necessity, even by force. Its continued presence poses an existential threat to Lebanon.' He warned that the absence of a functioning state fuels instability and risks plunging Lebanon into civil war. If the state reclaims its authority, Hezbollah will have no choice but to surrender its arms—because disarmament is no longer optional, it is survival. For decades, Hezbollah's arms have dragged Lebanon into wars it did not choose—2006, Syria's war, and repeated border clashes. The group has hidden weapons in Beirut's port, in schools, and in family neighborhoods. Now, six soldiers have paid with their lives to dismantle just one of those arsenals. Lebanon cannot survive as both a state and a battleground for a militia's regional agenda. Either the Lebanese state finally takes full control of all weapons, or Hezbollah's weapons will control Lebanon's fate. The choice is stark, the time is now—and the cost of delay will be measured in more Lebanese lives.


Ya Libnan
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
MP Bou Assi: Disarming Hezbollah is an absolute necessity, its arms pose an existential threat to Lebanon
MP Pierre Bou Assi stressed that 'disarming Hezbollah has become an absolute necessity, even by force,' warning that 'its continued presence poses an existential threat to Lebanon.' He noted that 'the absence of the state is what threatens stability and could lead to a civil war. If it assumes its responsibilities, it will be able to avoid slipping into clashes.' He believed that Hezbollah would lay down its weapons, 'because this is not an option, but an inevitable matter.' He accused the party of 'holding on to its weapons not to defend Lebanon, but rather to achieve political interests linked to Iran and to perpetuate a policy of domestic intimidation and blackmail.' He asked, 'Who gave the party the right to assess the Lebanese Army's ability to protect the borders? Hezbollah is a political party, and its role should be limited to the parliament and monitoring the government's work. However, it goes beyond that and participates in actions that have destroyed Lebanon and plunged us into wars. It has failed in this role, and no one can extricate us from what we have plunged into except the Lebanese state.' He said that 'the issue is not easy, but if there is determination, Hezbollah will not be able to stand in the way of the army. Therefore, the challenge for the political class is to maintain its decision.'