Hezbollah, Amal Supporters Protest State Arms Monopoly Plan
Supporters of Hezbollah and Amal took to the streets across Lebanon to reject a government plan to restrict arms possession to the state only, as part of a U.S.-backed roadmap.
Demonstrations included convoys of cars and motorcycles waving Hezbollah and Amal flags and chanting slogans against the state’s plan. In some areas, protesters burned tires, prompting military deployment. The protests were concentrated in Beirut’s southern suburbs and extended to regions in eastern and southern Lebanon.
The Lebanese cabinet had approved the general framework of the U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack’s proposal but postponed discussion of the disarmament timeline until receiving a plan from the Lebanese Army by the end of August. The army is expected to present a phased strategy on how arms would be consolidated under state authority.
Hezbollah-affiliated ministers and their allies walked out of the cabinet session in protest, but Information Minister Ziad Makary said the decision did not affect overall cabinet consensus.
Hezbollah Accuses Government Of Capitulation
Hezbollah’s parliamentary bloc strongly criticized Mikati’s endorsement of the American proposal, calling it a breach of his ministerial commitments. Party lawmakers said the plan undermines Lebanon’s sovereignty and resistance credentials.
Hezbollah declared it would not disarm, citing ongoing threats from Israel. The group labeled the U.S. paper as a surrender document and rejected any discussion of weapon forfeiture. A prominent lawmaker from the bloc, Amin Sherri, described the government’s moves as rushed and failing to protect national interests.