{
  "id": 7806797,
  "title": "Lebanese politician urges Hezbollah to hand over weapons and boost drive for peace",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/lebanese-politician-urges-hezbollah-to-hand-over-weapons-and-boost-7806797",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-16T14:39:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uae/2026/09/16/lebanese-politician-urges-hezbollah-to-hand-over-weapons-and-boost-drive-for-peace/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A prominent Lebanese politician has called on Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah to relinquish their weapons and join efforts to achieve peace, following a series of Israeli attacks that have claimed thousands of lives. Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, made these remarks during the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. He urged all firearms in the nation to be placed under the control of the national army. Bou Saab expressed his worry regarding Iran's impact on events within Lebanon and advocated for a political agreement involving all parties, both domestically and internationally. He stated that if Hezbollah were to transfer their weapons to the Lebanese government, it would pave the way for regaining land, freeing prisoners, and halting Israeli assaults. \"The future lies in keeping the weapons solely in the hands of the Lebanese army,\" he affirmed. These statements were made just days after Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declined further talks with Israel for now. Aoun visited Nabatieh in southern Lebanon on Saturday, accompanied by army commander Gen Rodolph Haykal, following Israel's bombing of Ali Al Taher ridge with over 1,100 tonnes of explosives. The bombing, reportedly aimed at destroying Iran-backed Hezbollah tunnels, has resulted in the deaths of more than 4,000 individuals and the obliteration of numerous villages in southern Lebanon, where Israeli troops have been stationed. Aoun emphasized that he found it unsettling to observe Iran's influence over Lebanon's affairs and emphasized the importance of a political agreement between all parties, both within and outside Lebanon. The ongoing conflict started on March 2 when Hezbollah launched missiles at Israel in support of Iran and in retaliation for Israel's continuous breaches of a prior ceasefire. Bou Saab suggested that a peaceful resolution was attainable, contingent upon the cessation of the broader regional conflict and developments involving the United States and the Israeli elections in November. He also noted that efforts to enhance security were underway amid public scrutiny of the government. Bou Saab remarked that it was premature to anticipate what the future holds, but the country was currently in a state of uncertainty.",
  "summary": "A senior Lebanese politician has urged Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah to disarm to help bring an end to sustained Israeli attacks that have killed thousands. Elias Bou Saab, Deputy Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament , told the Arab Media Summit in Dubai on Wednesday it is crucial that all weapons in the country end up in the hands of the national army. Mr Bou Saab said he was concerned by…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Lebanese politician urges Hezbollah to hand over weapons and boost drive for peace",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/lebanese-politician-urges-hezbollah-to-hand-over-weapons-and-boost",
        "published": "2026-09-16T14:39:51.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}