Lebanon says army ready to move to 2nd phase of arms monopoly

BEIRUT/ ISTANBUL

The Lebanese army is ready to move to the second phase of consolidating weapons under state control, which will extend from the Litani River southward to the Awali River, Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said on Wednesday.

The army “is ready to move to the second phase of consolidating arms under state authority, without a set timetable,” Mitri said in a speech at the eighth conference of the Carnegie Middle East Center, held in Beirut and attended by a number of current and former Lebanese ministers, as well as diplomats and journalists.

“This phase extends from the Litani River to the Awali River,” he added.

The deputy minister explained that the army commander “proposed a five-phase plan, starting with strengthening the army’s capabilities.”

Mitri said extending state authority to the area surrounding the Litani River is making gradual progress, with the army nearing completion of its mission south of the Litani and preparing to move to subsequent phases.

The army “is performing well and enjoys clear credibility, something ambassadors have observed firsthand during their field visits,” he added.

The Lebanese government on Aug. 5 approved a plan – based on a draft proposal presented by US Special Envoy Tom Barrack – to place all weapons, including those held by Hezbollah, under state control and tasked the army with implementing it by the end of 2025.

Hezbollah has repeatedly rejected the move and insists that Israeli forces must fully withdraw from Lebanese territory before any disarmament.

On Syria, Mitri said there is greater Arab and international interest in supporting Syria than Lebanon.

“But we should not think of ourselves as competitors with Syria for support. The better step lies in economic cooperation,” he added.

“Arab and international actors are encouraging Syrians and Lebanese to work together, as both are facing problems due to Israeli attacks. While our negotiating strategies differ, the core position is the same.”

He called on the Syrian leadership to address the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons.

“A legal framework must be found to resolve the matter, and that is where the problem lies.”