hezbollah

Hezbollah and the Monopoly of Arms: A Political Tug of War

Lebanon’s long-standing dispute over weapons has moved from political debate to decisive state action. Following a landmark Cabinet ruling, Hezbollah’s legal justification for maintaining arms has been revoked, forcing the group to either disarm peacefully or face consequences. Since the 1989 Taif Agreement, Hezbollah has refused to hand over ...

Jannati Dismisses Hezbollah Disarmament as ‘Illusory Dream’

The Secretary of the Iranian Guardian Council, Ahmad Jannati, dismissed the prospect of disarming the pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah as an “illusory dream” in remarks at a council meeting on Monday. Jannati’s comments coincided with the anniversary of the 33-day war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006, which he described as a ...

Larijani Starts Iraq and Lebanon Tour Amid High Tensions over Hezbollah's Disarmament

Ali Larijani, the head of Iran's top security body, met with senior officials in Iraq on Monday, ahead of a visit to Lebanon, where the government plans to disarm Tehran-backed group Hezbollah. Tehran has suffered a series of blows in its long-running rivalry with Israel, including during 12 days of open war between the two countries in ...

Zebqine Explosion: Rising Speculation Following the Death of Six Soldiers

Six Lebanese soldiers lost their lives on Saturday, August 9, in a powerful blast in the Zebqine valley near Majdel Zoun, in the Tyre district. The soldiers, who were part of the Engineering Unit, were carrying out a mission to dismantle an ammunition depot alongside members of the Fifth Brigade when the explosion occurred. This tragedy comes at ...

Fares Souhaid: Disarming Hezbollah Is a Constitutional Duty

Fares Souhaid, president of the Constitution First Gathering, stated that disarming Hezbollah is a constitutional duty, emphasizing that it is a commitment enshrined in the Taif Agreement. Souhaid made his remarks during a joint press conference hosted by the Saydet el-Jabal Gathering and the Constitution First Gathering at the headquarters of ...

Aoun Offers Condolences to Wadi Zebqine Blast Victims, Checks on Wounded Soldiers

President Joseph Aoun visited on Monday Minister of Defense Maj. Gen. Michel Menassa and Army Commander Gen. Rodolphe Haykal at Yarze to extend condolences for the soldiers killed in the Wadi Zebqine incident and checked on wounded troops. At Geitaoui Hospital, Aoun checked on the condition of a wounded soldier, met the medical team and the ...

US Envoy to Visit Beirut as Lebanon Pushes Ahead with Disarmament Plan

Lebanese political leaders in contact with US envoy Tom Barrack confirmed he will visit Lebanon on August 18 to follow up on the decision to place all weapons under the state’s exclusive authority, as outlined in the US proposal negotiated with Lebanese authorities, particularly Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Official sources voiced confidence ...

Geagea Warns of Iranian Threat to Lebanon’s Sovereignty, Urges Arab and UN Action

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea lambasted Iran on Monday, accusing it of posing a “direct threat” to Lebanon’s sovereignty. He cited Tehran’s recent criticism of Beirut’s plan to disarm non-state actors, including Iran’s ally Hezbollah. Geagea voiced strong support for the government’s decision taken on August 5 and 7 to ...

Finance Minister Yassin Jaber Faces Hezbollah's Wrath Over Disarmament Stance

Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, who is affiliated with Speaker Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement, came under scathing attack by Hezbollah supporters on social media over his recent remarks in support of the state’s “exclusive control of weapons.” His position, which reflects Amal’s approach to disarming Hezbollah, is viewed as a departure ...

The Institutionalized Impasses 

Eight months after the Presidential election and the formation of a new cabinet, Lebanon is still debating the decommissioning of Hezbollah and the restoration of the state’s sovereignty. The constitutional terms and the international mandates were not enough to sway the recalcitrance of the government, to dissuade Hezbollah and to stop the ...

Hezbollah: A Legacy of Lies, Manipulation and Deception

For many years, Hezbollah has faced a cascade of criticism and direct attacks. However, one must acknowledge the party’s remarkable feat—an important factor that could be listed among its “assets” (forgive the figure of speech…). The pro-Iranian group has indeed mastered the art of deception and the manipulation of well-established ...

Washington Expresses Concern Over Escalation in Southern Lebanon and Welcomes Government Initiative

The United States has voiced deep concern over ongoing tensions along Lebanon’s southern border that endanger civilian safety and increase the risk of a wider conflict. In remarks to the press, US State Department regional spokesperson Michael Mitchell said, “We condemn Hezbollah’s escalation and call for restraint. These actions put ...