Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory would allow the state to assert its authority nationwide and eliminate the rationale for armed groups operating outside official state institutions, according to the presidency.
Aoun made the remarks during a meeting with a European parliamentary delegation led by French lawmaker Arnaud Le Gall, head of the French-Lebanese Friendship Committee.
"Israel’s withdrawal would allow Lebanon to extend its authority, end armed manifestations and remove any justification for the existence of weapons other than those of the state,” said Aoun.
He stressed the need for a political, military, economic and social approach to Hezbollah’s weapons to preserve the political, security and social stability in the country.
The Lebanese government has been pursuing a plan to place all weapons under state control, including those held by Hezbollah. The group, however, insists on retaining its arsenal, saying its weapons are necessary to resist Israeli occupation.
