Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach
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Hezbollah condemns the Lebanese government's decision to disarm the Resistance, calling it a violation of national sovereignty and a move that serves "Israel's" interests.
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A Hezbollah supporter holds a poster reading "We shall not abandon our weapons" in the Southern Suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on July 6, 2025. (AP)
The Islamic Resistance in Lebanon (Hezbollah) released a statement on Wednesday condemning the decision issued by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government to move forward with a plan to strip Lebanon of the Resistance's weapons, describing it as a "grave sin" that undermines the country's sovereignty and emboldens the Israeli-US aggression.
The party warned that the decision would weaken Lebanon’s position in the face of ongoing Israeli-US hostilities and "grants Israel through political means what it failed to achieve militarily," referencing past confrontations where the Resistance forced the occupation to withdraw through decisive action.
Hezbollah stressed that the move violates both the principles of Lebanon’s National Pact and the government’s ministerial statement, which reads, "The government commits, according to the Taif Accord, to take all necessary measures to liberate all Lebanese territories from the Israeli occupation, extend state sovereignty across all its lands exclusively through its own forces, and deploy the Lebanese Army along the internationally recognized borders."
The Resistance stated that preserving Lebanon’s strength and the weapons of the Resistance are part of these "necessary measures," alongside equipping and empowering the Lebanese Army to expel the occupation and protect national sovereignty.
Hezbollah revealed that the decision stemmed from pressure by US envoy Tom Barrack, as cited in the cabinet meeting and acknowledged by Prime Minister Salam. The government announced plans to resume discussions on the US proposal on Thursday and tasked the Lebanese Army with drafting an implementation plan to restrict weapons to the state by year-end.
"This decision fully serves Israel’s interests and leaves Lebanon exposed without deterrence," the statement said.
Blow to national sovereignty, presidential commitments
Hezbollah also pointed out that the decision disregards President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural address, in which he pledged to initiate a discussion on a comprehensive national defense strategy, in which he said, "I pledge to call for an integrated defense policy as part of a national security strategy, enabling the Lebanese state. Yes, the Lebanese state, to remove Israeli occupation and repel aggression."
The statement described the cabinet’s move as part of a broader strategy of surrender and a direct blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty.
Ministers from both Hezbollah and the Amal Movement walked out of the cabinet session in protest, the Resistance movement said in the statement, affirming the Resistance’s rejection of this decision, which they said contradicts the will of large segments of the Lebanese public across all sects, regions, and political parties.
"This decision subjects Lebanon to US tutelage and Israeli occupation," the party said, adding, "It strips Lebanon of its sovereignty and grants Israel a free hand to violate its security, borders, politics, and existence."
Hezbollah declared it would treat the decision as non-existent, while reiterating its openness to dialogue on a national defense strategy, but not under aggression or coercion.
"Israel must implement existing agreements first. The government’s top priority should be to take all necessary steps to liberate every inch of Lebanese land from Israeli occupation," the statement added.
Addressing the Lebanese public, Hezbollah closed the statement with a message of resilience: "To our honorable people, this is but a summer cloud. God willing, it will pass. We have always endured, and triumphed."
Amal Movement calls on government to uphold ceasefire commitments
In a similar context, the Central Media Office of the Amal Movement issued a sharp rebuke of the Lebanese government's handling of the ceasefire agreement with "Israel", urging authorities to shift their priorities toward halting ongoing Israeli aggression and safeguarding national sovereignty.
In its statement, the Amal Movement emphasized that Lebanon has fully respected the ceasefire agreement reached on November 27, 2024, between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy. “Lebanon, since November 27, 2024, the date the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and the Israeli enemy was adopted, has fully abided by the terms of the agreement and continues to uphold its commitments,” the statement affirmed. It added that this commitment has remained consistent under both the previous and current governments.
In contrast, the Israeli entity, the movement argued, has violated the agreement from the outset. “The Israeli enemy has failed to comply from the very first moment and continues its aggression through airstrikes and drone assassinations, flagrantly violating Lebanese airspace,” the statement continued.
It also pointed to the occupation of vast areas of Lebanese territory, including the strategic "Five Hills" region, as well as the Israeli-imposed blockade preventing displaced residents of border villages from returning to their homes, which were destroyed during previous attacks.
The Amal Movement also condemned recent governmental initiatives that signal readiness for new agreements with "Israel", warning that such steps risk legitimizing ongoing violations. “It would have been more fitting for the Lebanese government, rather than rushing to offer further gratuitous concessions to the Israeli enemy through new agreements, to instead dedicate its efforts to solidifying the ceasefire and halting the Israeli killing machine, which has so far left hundreds of Lebanese citizens dead or wounded,” the statement read.
Further, the movement accused the current leadership of deviating from national principles and violating key political commitments. “In doing so, the government is acting contrary to the President’s inaugural address and in violation of its ministerial statement,” the Central Media Office stated.
Looking ahead to the upcoming cabinet session, the Amal Movement urged the government to take corrective action and realign with the national consensus. “Tomorrow’s session presents an opportunity for correction and a return to the spirit of Lebanese solidarity, as was the case before,” the statement concluded.
