https://arab.news/4a7xr
In what has been described as a historic move for Lebanon, the government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, this week banned all military and security activities by Hezbollah. The move came a day after a rocket attack on Haifa triggered a massive Israeli retaliation against Lebanon.
For the first time since the Taif Agreement in 1989, the executive has said clearly that decisions of war and peace rest exclusively with the state. This goes beyond the disarmament plan north of the Litani River, which was decided last year. The government now clearly demands that Hezbollah confine itself to political activity, hand over its weapons and cease all armed operations from Lebanese territory. Moreover, the army and security forces have been ordered to prevent any rocket or drone launches and to arrest those responsible.
This marks a new chapter for Lebanon and it was crucial to see the government acknowledge it. However, the road ahead is treacherous. Indeed, Hezbollah’s response was as expected. The Iranian proxy criticized the decision and accused the government of “powerlessness.” Hezbollah’s defiance, mockery and continuation of rocket launches are once again dragging Lebanon into a conflict it should not be involved in. And here lies the real issue: Can the Lebanese military prove the group wrong and execute its disarmament?
