In an extraordinary session held at Baabda Palace, Lebanon’s Council of Ministers on Monday adopted sweeping decisions aimed at asserting state authority over armed activity within Lebanese territory, following renewed rocket launches from southern Lebanon and escalating regional tensions.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that the Cabinet formally declared the Lebanese state’s “absolute rejection of any military actions launched from Lebanese territory.” He stated that Hezbollah’s military activities are now to be considered outside the framework of the law.
The government announced a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities and tasked Lebanon’s military and security agencies with enforcing the decision. Salam called on the Lebanese Army to immediately implement Cabinet resolutions restricting weapons north of the Litani River and to use “all available means” to ensure execution of the plan. He further demanded that Hezbollah hand over its weapons immediately.
The Lebanese government announced its full readiness to resume negotiations with Israel with civilian participation and international sponsorship.
Meeting Context: Response to Rocket Fire and Escalation Risks
The emergency session was convened in response to recent rocket launches from Lebanon, which officials warned risked dragging the country into a broader regional confrontation. President Joseph Aoun stressed that responsibility lies with “those who launched the rockets, not the Lebanese people.”
According to Information Minister Paul Morcos, President Aoun described the rocket fire as “unacceptable” and warned that Lebanon continues to provide Israel with pretexts for military retaliation. He added that “there are those who want to drag the country into chaos.”
Morcos also said the government intends to restrict Hezbollah’s role strictly to political representation, effectively separating its political participation from any armed activity.
Prime Minister Salam described the moment as a turning point, with Morcos quoting him as saying that “the hour of truth has come.”
Enforcement and Legal Framing
Salam announced that security agencies have been instructed to prevent any military actions or rocket launches from Lebanese territory and to arrest those responsible for firing rockets. The government also declared its readiness to resume negotiations with Israel, while intensifying diplomatic contacts aimed at halting Israeli strikes.
Additionally, the Cabinet instructed the Ministry of Social Affairs to prepare shelters for displaced civilians in anticipation of potential escalation.
Notably, while the Cabinet moved to outlaw Hezbollah’s military activities, it stopped short of designating the group as a terrorist organization.
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