What's happened
Following a war with Israel that severely weakened Hezbollah, discussions on disarming the group are gaining momentum. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun aims for a state monopoly on arms, while Iran warns against external pressures. The situation remains delicate, with potential for civil conflict if handled improperly.
What's behind the headline?
Key Considerations
- Delicate Balance: President Aoun's approach to disarmament emphasizes dialogue to avoid civil unrest. He stated, 'The Lebanese have to strike a delicate balance.'
- Hezbollah's Position: The group has expressed willingness to discuss its arsenal but insists on conditions, including Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon. Naim Qassem, Hezbollah's leader, stated, 'We will not let anyone disarm.'
- International Pressure: The U.S. is linking financial aid to Hezbollah's disarmament, complicating Lebanon's internal politics.
- Historical Context: Previous disarmament efforts post-civil war provide a framework, but Hezbollah's unique status complicates integration into the Lebanese army.
- Potential Outcomes: If disarmament is rushed, it could provoke backlash from Hezbollah's constituency, while a slow approach risks losing international support.
What the papers say
The Independent highlights the weakened state of Hezbollah post-war and the challenges of disarmament, noting President Aoun's commitment to a dialogue-based approach. In contrast, The New Arab reports on Iran's strong opposition to disarmament efforts, framing them as a conspiracy against regional states. Iranian Ambassador Mojtaba Amani warned against falling into 'the enemy's trap,' emphasizing the need for deterrent capabilities. This divergence illustrates the complex interplay of local and international pressures surrounding Hezbollah's future.
How we got here
Hezbollah, a powerful non-state armed group in Lebanon, has faced significant losses in leadership and military capability following its recent conflict with Israel. The U.S. and Israel are advocating for its disarmament, while Lebanon's government seeks a dialogue-based approach to arms control.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Hezbollah's disarmament?
- How is Iran involved in the disarmament discussions?
- What challenges does Lebanon face in this process?
More on these topics
-
Lebanon, officially known as the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies west across the Mediterranean Sea.
-
Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group based in Lebanon. Hezbollah's paramilitary wing is the Jihad Council, and its political wing is the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc party in the Lebanese parliament.
-
Joseph Khalil Aoun is a Lebanese Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces since 2017.
-
Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a