Lebanon’s reconstruction, aid hinge on state’s authority over arms: Foreign minister

ISTANBUL

Lebanon’s foreign minister confirmed Thursday that the reconstruction of his country and its receipt of international aid are contingent on ensuring that all weapons are exclusively under state control both north and south of the Litani River.

Youssef Rajji’s remarks came during a press interview in which he said that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will discuss the issues of displaced people, the eastern border and missing Lebanese nationals in Syria with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during an upcoming visit to Damascus.

“Lebanon has been clearly informed that there will be no reconstruction or international aid unless weapons are placed solely under the state’s authority north and south of the Litani,” Rajji said, according to Lebanon’s National News Agency.

He added that the most recent person to convey this position to Lebanon was US envoy Morgan Ortagus, who visited Beirut at the end of last week and met with a large number of Lebanese officials.

“Ortagus mentioned that Lebanon currently has an open window of opportunity, as the US administration wants to help Lebanon liberate its land, begin reconstruction and revive its economy,” Rajji said.

“But there are conditions on our part as well—regarding economic reforms, which is a demand not only from the international community but also from Arab Gulf states and within Lebanon itself—and regarding the exclusivity of arms, as the international community wants the Lebanese state to exercise full sovereignty over all its territory, not just south of the Litani.

“No state in the world should accept the presence of weapons outside the framework of its institutions. Therefore, this is not only an international demand but also a Lebanese one, which we expressed clearly in the ministerial statement and the oath of office,” he added.

He denied that Ortagus had set a specific timetable for achieving exclusive state control over weapons.​​​​​​​

However, he noted that she said “this should happen as soon as possible.”

“She considered that what has been achieved so far in this regard is positive but not sufficient. They are expecting greater and faster steps,” he added.

Earlier, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said the Hezbollah group has shown "a lot of flexibility" regarding cooperation over its weapons.

Lawmaker Sagih Atieh cited Aoun's comments at a press conference following the president's meeting with a parliamentary delegation in Beirut, according to a statement from the presidency.

Atieh said Aoun is handling the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament "with great wisdom,” stressing that the group "has shown a lot of flexibility and willingness to cooperate within a defined timeline."

Aoun also said that Hezbollah's positivity should be met with equal positivity, and with an understanding of the new realities facing the country, Atieh added.

Earlier, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said the government’s priority must be confronting Israeli attacks and liberating occupied land.

He also stressed that Hezbollah "is ready and open to any dialogue on a national defense strategy."

Lebanon has been facing pressure from several international actors, including the US, to take action on Hezbollah’s weapons since last year’s ceasefire with Israel.

A fragile ceasefire had been in place in Lebanon since November, ending months of cross-border warfare between Israel and Hezbollah which escalated into a full-scale conflict last September.

Lebanese authorities reported nearly 1,400 Israeli violations of the ceasefire, including at least 120 fatalities and more than 366 injuries.

Under the ceasefire deal, Israel was supposed to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by Jan. 26, but the deadline was extended to Feb. 18 after it refused to comply. It still maintains a military presence at five border outposts.