Hezbollah Condemns Disarmament Plan as a "Major Sin"

Illustration of Hezbollah. (Wikimedia Commons/khamenei.ir)

JAKARTA - The militant group Hezbollah has condemned the Lebanese government's plan to disarm its weapons as a "grave sin" that it will treat "as if it didn't exist."

Hezbollah's reaction has raised concerns that Israel could escalate attacks on Lebanon and inflame tensions within the country.

Following a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government said it would ask the Lebanese military to present a plan to control all weapons by the end of the year.

Hezbollah has repeatedly said it rejects any discussion about its weapons until Israel halts its daily bombing of Lebanon and withdraws from five areas of Lebanese territory it still occupies.

On Wednesday, Hezbollah said the government's decision weakens Lebanon's position in the face of Israeli and US "threats" against the country.

"This decision completely serves Israel's interests and leaves Lebanon vulnerable to the Israeli enemy without deterrence," the group said, as reported by The National on August 7.

Hezbollah said it viewed the cabinet decision as "a result of dictates from US envoy Tom Barrack," referring to a proposal he submitted to authorities calling for the group's disarmament within a specified timeframe.

"The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam committed a grave sin by taking the decision to disarm Lebanon to fight the Israeli enemy," the group said in a statement, as quoted by Al Arabiya.

This decision comes amid intense US pressure for the Lebanese Cabinet to commit to and set a timetable for Hezbollah's disarmament, and amid growing concerns that Israel will escalate its attacks on the country.

This stands in stark contrast to rhetoric coming from parties opposed to Hezbollah, who have praised the government's latest move.

"Yesterday was a historic decision by the government," said a source close to the four ministers nominated by the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, including Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi.

"There is no gray area in this matter, it is very clear." "What was previously lacking was a political resolution, and that political resolution is here today," he continued.

"Believe me, if there were any gray area, we would have walked out of the [cabinet] meeting and declared that we oppose this resolution, and whatever the government says does not represent our supporters," he stressed.

Meanwhile, Michel Moawad, an independent member of parliament who is also highly critical of Hezbollah, said this is "a turning point for Lebanon."

"This is how we protect Lebanon from another devastating war: by restoring sovereignty, upholding the rule of law, and building a strong and united nation," he concluded.