The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have cleared nearly 10,000 rockets, 400 missiles and more than 205,000 fragments of unexploded ordnance in the past year as part of a sweeping disarmament campaign in southern Lebanon, according to a statement released on Thursday by US Central Command (CENTCOM).
The figures were highlighted during the 11th Pentalateral meeting of the Cessation of Hostilities Mechanism, held on October 15 in Naqoura, where senior military officials from the LAF, UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), the United States, France and the United Nations met to align efforts on maintaining stability and advancing the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The LAF’s expanding role in regional security has emerged as a central pillar of multilateral efforts to uphold the cessation of hostilities in the south — a role praised by international partners.
“Our Lebanese partners continue to lead the way in ensuring the disarmament of Lebanese Hezbollah is successful,” said Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM. “We remain committed to supporting the LAF’s efforts as they work tirelessly to strengthen regional security.”
The disarmament initiative falls under the Cessation of Hostilities Mechanism, a multilateral framework launched in November 2024 to monitor and enforce commitments made by Israel and Lebanon, including those outlined in UN Security Council resolutions. The mechanism’s primary mandate is to verify disarmament and prevent renewed escalation along the southern border.
Last week, Lieutenant General Joseph Clearfield took over as the senior US military representative in Lebanon and chairman of the mechanism, a move CENTCOM described as marking a “new phase” of US involvement on the ground.
“We are working with the LAF, UNIFIL and our French and international partners to ensure the success of the cessation framework,” Clearfield said. “We have a shared interest in preserving peace and stability in Lebanon.”
Exclusive Control of Weapons
The issue of exclusive state control over weapons was reaffirmed by former Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi. In an interview with Al-Arabiya, he stated that the process leading to a monopoly on arms by the state has already been initiated, particularly since the matter was raised by President Joseph Aoun shortly after his election. Mawlawi also emphasized the central role of the government in regulating and securing the country’s territory, echoing CENTCOM’s statements regarding the Lebanese Army’s key role in overseeing the possession of weapons.
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