BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an “effective and tangible way,” but said there was more work to be done to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area. The army had set a year-end deadline to clear non-state weaponry from southern Lebanon, which borders Israel, before moving on to other areas of the country. It said it had extended operational control over the south, except for areas still occupied by Israeli troops.

BEIRUT: The Lebanese army said on Thursday that it had achieved the goal of a state monopoly on arms in the country’s south in an “effective and tangible way,” but said there…

Statement says army established state monopoly on arms in an 'effective and tangible way', without mentioning Hezbollah.