BEIRUT: The Lebanese Cabinet on Friday received the Lebanese Armed Forces’ plan to restrict the possession of weapons to state personnel on Friday.
While the Cabinet “took note” of the plan, four ministers from Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, along with a neutral Shiite minister, walked out at the start of the session in protest over the plan.
Since disarmament talks began earlier this year, Hezbollah has firmly rejected handing over its weapons. Despite repeated objections, the government last month confirmed its intention to proceed, giving the Lebanese Army Command a month to develop, present, and implement the plan by the end of the year.
Hezbollah and the Amal Movement objected, citing Israel’s failure to fulfill its ceasefire obligations to withdraw from occupied positions and cease violations, attacks, and assassinations on Lebanese soil.
Last November, Hezbollah negotiated a ceasefire agreement with Israel via Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and a US mediator. While the party agreed to all the provisions of the agreement, the Lebanese government has yet to receive the full details.
