Lebanon Affirms The Need For Hezbollah Group Weapons To Run As Planned

JAKARTA - Lebanon's plan to put all weapons of the Hezbollah militant group is under state control and goes according to plan, government officials said.

This follows the news that the new draft United States Defense Law will require support for the Lebanese military depending on the progress of the Hezbollah group's removal process.

The official did not comment directly on the US bill, but stressed the Lebanese Armed Forces were close to completing the first phase of the arms control plan, which includes the ceasefire of Iran-backed groups in the southernmost region bordering Israel.

"The Lebanese Armed Forces are close to finalizing the first phase of the deployment plan to ensure exclusive authorities over weapons south of the Litani River, an achievement that the cabinet has received positively," a government official told The National, as quoted by (11/12).

"The second phase, which includes the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, is expected to start after the New Year," he added.

According to the final text of the National Defense Authority Law this year released by US legislators this week, Washington's military assistance to Lebanon is planned to be used to support Hezbollah's weapons cuts.

The bill states that the Secretary of Defense and Head of US Central Command (US CENTCOM) must submit a report on June 30, 2026 on plans to continue financial and material assistance, including "guidelines to assess the advancement of the Lebanese Armed Forces in dismantling Hezbollah's weapons, and options to suspend aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces if it is determined that the troops are not willing to act to strip Hezbollah's weapons".

The bill, which outlines US defense policies and funding for the next fiscal year, could be submitted for the fastest vote this week.

Lebanon desperately needs support from other countries for its short-funded troops. President Donald Trump's administration sent around $230 million to support Lebanese security forces in October.

Meanwhile, a US State Department spokesman told The National they directly support both the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (ISF) "as they seek to expand Lebanon's sovereignty across Lebanese territory and fully implement their bold decision to remove Hezbollah's weapons."

"Washington has affirmed its commitment to supporting Lebanese security forces by approving security assistance of more than US$237 million, which was divided between LAF (192.7 million) and ISF (US$45 million)," he continued.

Lebanon is under strong pressure from Washington to accelerate the depletion of Hezbollah's weapons, which are the strongest military force in the country and the strongest component of Iran's regional "foros resistance", before weakening significantly in the war with Israel last year.

Soldiers are gradually increasing their presence in southern Lebanon, as required in the November 2024 ceasefire agreement which ended more than a year of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel.

However, Israel has not withdrawn as stated in the ceasefire agreement and has strengthened its position in southern Lebanon.

Beirut blamed Israel's daily attacks and a continuing occupation of five points in Lebanese territory for delays in the denouncing of the Hezbollah gun south of the Litani River.

US and Israeli officials said the firing process was too slow, while also claiming Hezbollah was rebuilding its power, without providing evidence.

While the head of the UN peace mission in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL) has rejected the claim and recently told Israeli media there is no evidence of Hezbollah rebuilding its power south of the Litani River.

Lebanon adopted an unprecedented plan to strip the Hezbollah weapon in September and has spoken of significant progress south of the Litani River.

However, Hezbollah has rejected any talks about its weapons until Israel withdrew from Lebanese territory.

Military officials said they were acting cautiously to avoid triggering internal conflict and civil war.

"Given the challenging conditions and limited resources in which the army succeeded in advancing the first phase, we anticipate donor countries will move to provide more concrete and timely support so that the Lebanese Armed Forces can continue the next stage of the plan," said a Lebanese government official.

Other government officials said the arms removal plan was purely Lebanese internal affairs and "needs", despite external demands.

"We believe the United States wants what we want," the official said, expressing confidence Washington will continue to support Lebanon in achieving its goals.

The official, who was present when General Haykal briefed the cabinet earlier this month, said they remained "full trust" soldiers were carrying out their duties and had a "will" to do so.

The official said the government's policy to put all weapons under state control was not pushed by the US, but first outlined by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam in their opening statement at the beginning of the year.

If anything, the government would like to speed up the process if possible, while acknowledging the complexity of the task, the official said.