Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated on Thursday that the Lebanese Army’s (LAF) plan to consolidate all arms under state authority applies to the entirety of Lebanon, not only areas south of the Litani River, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring the state’s exclusive control over weapons.
In an interview with Saudi television channel Al-Hadath, Salam said Lebanon has entered “the second phase” of the arms consolidation process, which will expand gradually from the area between the Litani and Awali rivers to Beirut and the Bekaa Valley.
“For the first time in 50 years, the state has complete control over the south of the Litani River,” Salam said, describing the development as “a historic event achieved under difficult circumstances.” He stressed that the government would continue implementing the disarmament plan, noting that its success requires sustained support for the LAF.
Responding to remarks by Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem, Salam said he was guided not by individual statements but by Lebanon’s constitutional and political commitments. “I heard Naim Qassem, but more importantly, I heard what was stated in the Taif Accord, the ministerial policy statement, the oath of office, and the confidence that the government received from Parliament,” he said.
Salam also emphasized the importance of reviving the work of the Mechanism Committee tasked with overseeing implementation. “We seek to activate the work of the Mechanism Committee, and we have no objection to expanding the participation of Lebanese civilians in the committee,” he said.
On relations with Syria, the prime minister called for moving beyond past tensions with Damascus. “It is important for us to turn the page on the past with the new authority in Syria,” Salam said, adding that Lebanon has made significant progress in controlling the shared border.
He downplayed concerns about the presence of figures linked to Syria’s former regime in Lebanon, saying the issue had been overstated. “There are no big names in Lebanon,” Salam said. “Most of them have gone to Moscow or other countries. They may have passed through Lebanon, but in any case, we will not allow Lebanon to become a platform for harming Syria in any way.”
Salam concluded by reaffirming the need to reset ties with Syria’s new leadership, again stressing the importance of “turning the page on the past.”
The prime minister’s remarks come against the backdrop of a key cabinet decision on 5 August 2025, when the government authorized the LAF to prepare a comprehensive plan to consolidate all weapons under state authority by the end of the year. The cabinet also agreed to continue discussions on a broader arms control proposal, marking a formal decision to restrict arms possession to the state and disarm non-state groups.
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