Lebanon Warns Hamas Not To Hazard Its National Security
Lebanon Warns Hamas Not To Hazard Its National Security
JAKARTA - Lebanon warned Palestinian militant group Hamas against carrying out operations that jeopardize the country's security or sovereignty, the country's Supreme Defense Council said on Friday.
Mohammad al-Mustafa, secretary-general of the Supreme Defense Council, told reporters on Friday the agency would recommend a series of decisions to the Lebanese cabinet, including "reminding Hamas not to use Lebanese territory to take any action that threatens Lebanon's national security".
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who previously served as commander of the army, has promised to carry all weapons in the country under the authority of the country.
"The president underlined Lebanon's refusal to engage in regional conflicts, highlighting the importance of Palestinian rights without sacrificing Lebanese stability," Mustafa told reporters, referring to a council session.
"The prime minister also stressed the need to hand over illegal weapons and prevent Hamas or any other faction from undermining Lebanon's national security and stability," the council said in a statement.
The announcement comes as Lebanon faces growing US pressure to strip off militant groups beyond state control following last year's war between Israel and Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas.
The ceasefire that ended the conflict called on Lebanon to strip off "all armed groups in Lebanon" and dismantle unauthorized military infrastructure.
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Hamas is known to have long been present in Lebanon, including in camps across the country housing hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refugees and where Lebanese security forces have so far only had limited authority.
Together with Hezbollah, Hamas fighters in Lebanon fired rockets across the southern border into Israel in solidarity with Palestinians after a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 from Gaza that sparked war in the Palestinian enclave.
Israeli airstrikes have killed several Hamas commanders in Lebanon, including the group's deputy head in early 2024.