Aoun Says Disarming Hezbollah Requires Clear Conditions and State Control

What happened

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun told a reception at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington that disarming Hezbollah is achievable only if certain requirements are met. He stressed that the Lebanese state has long aimed to unify authority under “one state, one army,” ending all illegal armed groups operating outside official control.

Aoun emphasized the unique challenges posed by Hezbollah, which he described as a Lebanese group, not foreign mercenaries, shaped over four decades by ideological, social, and military investment operating outside government oversight. He said this reality makes a carefully executed method essential to any disarmament effort.

He outlined a proven approach based on worldwide precedents of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration: starting with removing what Hezbollah cites as its justification for arms — the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory — followed by the Lebanese Armed Forces assuming full control with unconditional support, and ending with reintegration programs to rebuild and offer economic opportunities.

Known from the source

• President Joseph Aoun spoke at the Lebanese Embassy in Washington about disarming Hezbollah.
• Aoun stated the Lebanese state's goal is 'one state, one army' and ending illegal armed groups.
• He described Hezbollah as a Lebanese group outside state control, shaped ideologically and militarily over four decades.
• Aoun proposed disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration as the method, starting with the removal of the Israeli occupation as justification.
• He emphasized exclusive operational control by the Lebanese Armed Forces, which he said is the only trusted national institution.

What remains unclear

President Aoun stated that the Lebanese state must exercise sole authority over its territory and borders with monopoly on decisions about war and peace. He asserted that the Lebanese Armed Forces are the only national institution with the trust of all citizens and the only force representing Lebanon as a whole rather than any faction or sect.

What remains unclear: Is there independent confirmation of any steps taken by the Lebanese Armed Forces to assume full operational control over Hezbollah-held areas?. Are there official statements from Hezbollah or other Lebanese factions responding to Aoun’s disarmament plan?. Is there current verification of the Israeli occupation status mentioned by Aoun as a key factor?. Are there ongoing negotiations or foreign mediation efforts linked to the disarmament proposal?.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: Naharnet Lebanon. Open the source.