Hezbollah has sharply criticised the Lebanese government’s recent decision to task the army with developing a plan to disarm the Iran-backed movement, calling it a “grave mistake” that weakens the country and serves Israeli interests.
In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, the group described the decision as a “non-existent” move that undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty and hands Israel a political victory it could not achieve militarily.
The Cabinet’s decision, reached after a nearly six-hour meeting on Tuesday, marked the first concrete attempt by the Lebanese government to address Hezbollah’s long-standing independent arsenal. According to Information Minister Ziad Makary, the army has been directed to formulate a plan to ensure weapons are restricted solely to its forces, preventing their circulation outside official channels.
Hezbollah rejected the move, saying it would only leave Lebanon vulnerable to external aggression and damage internal unity.
“This decision serves Israeli interests fully,” the group said, adding that it would remain open to dialogue on a comprehensive national defence strategy, but not under external pressure or imposed frameworks.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government is expected to reconvene on Thursday to discuss further details of the disarmament plan, amid growing internal divisions over Hezbollah’s military role in the country.
