US urges Lebanon to take further steps in bringing all weapons under state authority

BEIRUT/ISTANBUL

US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson said Thursday that the Lebanese government is expected to take further steps to implement its decision to bring all weapons under the state’s monopoly.

Johnson made the remarks during a ceremony at the US Embassy in Beirut, according to a report aired on a private Lebanese television channel.

She said that since Lebanon signed the ceasefire agreement with Israel in November last year, the work carried out by the Lebanese Army has been tremendous, but it is not enough, and more needs to be done.

While applauding the Lebanese government’s decision to consolidate weapons under state control, Johnson emphasized that larger steps are needed.

She argued that what has been achieved in Lebanon over the past few months surpasses what was accomplished in the previous six years.

Earlier, the Lebanese Army announced that Israel had carried out more than 4,500 violations since the ceasefire took effect.

The attacks have hindered the deployment and implementation of the plan to place weapons under state control, which began south of the Litani River.

On Aug. 5, the Lebanese Cabinet decided that all weapons in the country, including those held by the Hezbollah group, should be consolidated under the state’s control.

Under the decision, the army was tasked with preparing a plan by the end of the month and implementing it by the end of this year.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem had stated that the group would only surrender its weapons after Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory, stops its attacks on the country, releases detainees, and the reconstruction process begins.

In this context, it was noted that the fourth phase of the plan for handing over weapons from Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon to Lebanese security forces was completed last Saturday.