Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday and announced a plan to seize Illegal weapons.
Following a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced via X that a joint Lebanese-Palestinian committee will convene on Friday to establish a clear agenda for placing all illegal weapons, inside and outside Palestinian camps, under the authority of the Lebanese state.
The meeting will also address the issue of civil rights for Palestinians in Lebanon.
Salam emphasized that these weapons “no longer serve the Palestinian cause” and risk fueling internal Palestinian conflict or Palestinian-Lebanese strife, referring to clashes between Palestinian groups during the summer of 2023.
He added, “The strength of the Palestinian cause today lies not in weapons stored in Lebanon’s camps, but in the growing number of countries recognizing the State of Palestine, in global solidarity demonstrations, and in international rulings condemning Israel’s actions.”
A day earlier, Abbas met with President Joseph Aoun, after which a joint statement from Baabda highlighted the urgent need to place all weapons under state control.
Abbas and Salam also discussed ways to reinforce Lebanon’s stability, ensure full state sovereignty, and extend government authority over all Lebanese territory, including the Palestinian refugee camps.
Key points agreed upon during the meeting included:
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The rejection of Palestinians’ naturalization in Lebanon and reaffirmation of the right of return.
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Lebanon’s sovereign control over all its territory, including refugee camps.
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The formation of a joint executive committee to follow up on these commitments.
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A pledge to address refugees’ humanitarian and social needs without undermining Lebanese sovereignty.
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A call to end the war in Gaza and reject any forced displacement of Palestinians.
President Abbas later met with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, during which similar views were echoed.
Geagea: Government Must Set Deadline for Palestinian Disarmament
Following these meetings, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea called on the government to take firm action on disarmament.
“In its next session, the Lebanese government must set a clear timetable to collect all Palestinian weapons, both inside and outside the camps,” Geagea said. “It must also assume full security responsibility for the camps and surrounding areas. This is a vital step toward ending the presence of illegal weapons in Lebanon and dismantling unauthorized armed groups.”
Geagea praised President Abbas’ position, adding, “Abbas’ repeated calls reinforce the importance of respecting Lebanese sovereignty. No military action should take place on Lebanese soil except by the Lebanese Army.”
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