Lebanese president reaffirms state's sole right to arms

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated Lebanon's stance that only state forces are authorized to bear arms, rejecting the notion of treating southern Lebanon as a bargaining chip. Aoun emphasized, "The only weapons that protect the land are those legally held by the state." He further stated that Lebanon firmly opposes the south being viewed as a neglected region or a bargaining point.

The President highlighted the persistent Israeli occupation attacks and violations of the cessation of hostilities in southern Lebanon, which have forced its citizens to endure daily sacrifices and steadfastness. Aoun emphasized Lebanon's unwavering commitment to ensuring that only state forces hold legitimate arms and to extending the authority of the Lebanese Armed Forces across the entire Lebanese territory, as mandated by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

The issue of limiting arms to the state remains a significant challenge for the government, given Israeli threats to the south and the presence of Hezbollah members carrying arms outside the state's official framework and laws. UN Resolution 1701, unanimously adopted in 2006, aimed to end the conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces by establishing a permanent ceasefire, creating a buffer zone, and allowing for the expansion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to a maximum of 15,000 personnel.