Lebanon's Controversial Disarmament Plan Spurs Political Turmoil

On August 5, 2025, the Lebanese government directed the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to develop a comprehensive plan to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah, by the end of the year. This initiative aligns with a U.S.-backed proposal aiming to consolidate all weapons under state control, thereby reinforcing Lebanon's sovereignty and addressing longstanding security concerns.

The cabinet's decision has ignited a political firestorm within the country. Hezbollah, a powerful Iran-backed Shiite political and militant organization, has vehemently opposed the move. In a televised address on August 15, 2025, Hezbollah's deputy leader, Naim Qassem, warned that enforcing the disarmament plan could lead to civil unrest, emphasizing the group's refusal to surrender its weapons while perceiving ongoing threats from Israel. Qassem stated, "The resistance will not surrender its weapons while aggression continues, occupation persists, and we will fight it... if necessary to confront this American-Israeli project no matter the cost." (aljazeera.com)

The government's plan is part of a broader effort to implement the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which sought to end prolonged hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Under this agreement, Lebanese authorities, including the army and internal security forces, are designated as the sole bearers of arms within the country. U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack announced plans to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel following Lebanon's endorsement of the disarmament plan. Barrack emphasized that Lebanon had taken a crucial first step and called on Israel to reciprocate by halting airstrikes and withdrawing from five hilltops it occupies in southern Lebanon. (apnews.com)

The cabinet's decision has also led to internal political tensions. On August 7, 2025, several Shiite ministers, including members from Hezbollah, the Amal party, and independent parliamentarian Fadi Makki, walked out of a Cabinet meeting in protest against the proposed disarmament plan. Despite their departure, the remainder of the Cabinet voted in favor of the plan, which includes a ceasefire with Israel and disarmament of all non-state actors. Hezbollah condemned the move, claiming it was made under U.S. and Israeli pressure, and vowed not to comply. (apnews.com)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun firmly asserted that no armed groups, including Hezbollah, are allowed to operate independently in Lebanon or rely on foreign backing. His remarks came during a meeting with Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's top security body, following the Lebanese cabinet’s approval of a U.S.-backed roadmap to disarm Hezbollah. (aljazeera.com)

Hezbollah has long maintained that its arms are essential for national defense, particularly amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes. The group insists it will only consider negotiating a national defense strategy once Israel ceases its airstrikes and fully withdraws from Lebanese territory. The recent 14-month war with Israel left thousands dead, displaced over a million, and caused $11 billion in damages. Israel, retaining positions inside Lebanon, accuses Hezbollah of trying to rebuild militarily—an allegation Qassem’s comments indirectly reinforce by affirming Hezbollah’s readiness for prolonged resistance. (apnews.com)

This development marks a pivotal moment in Lebanon's political landscape, as the nation grapples with internal divisions and external pressures. The success of the disarmament plan hinges on the government's ability to navigate complex domestic and regional dynamics, balancing the enforcement of state authority with the potential for escalating tensions.