Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati implicitly criticized on Monday, May 22, Hezbollah’s recent military show of force in southern Lebanon, stressing Lebanon’s commitment to UN Resolution 1701, which restricts the possession of weapons south of the Litani River to the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL.

Following a meeting with UN Special Coordinator Joanna Wronecka at the Serail, Mikati stressed that the government is keen to preserve stability and security throughout Lebanese territory and condemned “any destabilizing act that undermines the state authority and sovereignty.”

“Nevertheless, this problematic issue concerning Hezbollah’s weapons needs a comprehensive national accord, and it should be a future priority,” he added.

Hezbollah staged its largest military maneuvers in years in southern Lebanon, unveiling heavy weapons while simulating attacks on Israeli territory with live ammunition.

Its muscle flexing south of the Litani is a flagrant violation of Resolution 1701 and instead of being seen as a message of deterrence to Israel, it was widely perceived as a provocation to the Lebanese government.