The US and Lebanon have been holding talks on a roadmap to fully disarm Hezbollah. Lebanon's new leadership has pledged to extend its authority across all its territory but has so far avoided acting against Hezbollah.

Beirut

Lebanon is experiencing renewed pressure to disarm Hezbollah, with the group maintaining that relinquishing its weapons would compromise national sovereignty and benefit Israel. The country's new leadership has pledged to address the issue of armed groups, calling for responsible dialogue and adherence to constitutional processes.

The Lebanese army, seen as a unifying institution, may be tasked with enforcing disarmament if a political decision is made, though the move is considered sensitive due to the nation's sectarian divisions and past conflicts. Hezbollah remains influential in Lebanon's political and military spheres, and its supporters argue that disarmament could threaten their security and political standing. The government faces heightened international and military pressure, particularly from Israel, and is expected to make a formal commitment on the matter, which could trigger significant political repercussions.

Lebanon faces renewed pressure to disarm Hezbollah

Hezbollah has made its position clear. It will not disarm because to do so would serve Israel's interests, not Lebanon's sovereignty. They try to blackmail us by saying they won't give us money for reconstruction. If what? If we hand over our weapons to Israel, we will not hand them over. This was seen as a message to Lebanon's new leadership that's promised to disarm all armed groups. I call on all political parties to approach the issue of arms control with full responsibility. Disagreement must remain respectful within the framework of the constitution. The president was speaking at an event to commemorate Army Day, the institution that will take on Hezbollah if and when there's a political decision to disarm the group by force. The army holds a fractured nation together, but it's a reflection of the sectarian system. During the civil war in the 1980s, it fragmented. And that's why Aoun has said the issue of disarmament is sensitive with consequences for national peace. If there's a cost to pay to be able to centralize the weapons with the LAF, with the Lebanese armed forces, it better be like that. But everything that has been done so far was to avoid any clash with Hezbollah. Hezbollah has clashed with the state in the past. In 2008, a government decision to dismantle the group's telecommunication network led to street violence. For years, Hezbollah was the most powerful military and political actor in Lebanon. It may have lost some of its military capabilities in last year's conflict with Israel, but it's not defeated. Hezbollah is still strong in the state because of the monopoly that Hezbollah and Amal have over Shiite representation, as well as the appointment of key figures in all of the state, judiciary, military and otherwise, that are politically aligned to them. The group's supporters believe disarmament will have implications for their political standing and security. Lebanon's political landscape and society have long been divided, with differing views on Hezbollah's role and the need for disarmament. The issue has dominated Lebanese politics for decades, but today there is a sense of urgency with increasing international pressure. And increasing military pressure from Israel, which regularly targets Hezbollah, despite a ceasefire. The government is now expected to formally commit to disarming Hezbollah, a decision that could at the least ignite a political crisis. In the words of the president, it's a critical time. Zainal Kheder, Al Jazeera, Beirut.

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