Beirut: The Lebanese army is gearing up to advance to the second phase of its initiative to bring all weapons under state control, extending from the Litani River to the Awali River. This announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri during a speech at the eighth conference of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.

According to Anadolu Agency, Mitri emphasized that the army is ready to proceed with this phase, although no specific timeline has been set. The initiative is part of a broader five-phase plan proposed by the army commander, beginning with the enhancement of the army's capabilities. The conference, attended by current and former Lebanese ministers, diplomats, and journalists, highlighted the progress made thus far, with the army nearing the completion of its mission south of the Litani River.

The Lebanese government had earlier approved a plan on August 5, inspired by a draft proposal from US Special Envoy Tom Barrack, to place all weapons, including those held by Hezbollah, under state control by the end of 2025. However, Hezbollah has consistently opposed this move, maintaining that Israeli forces must completely withdraw from Lebanese territories before any disarmament can occur.

In addition to discussing the arms consolidation, Mitri addressed the topic of Syria, noting a growing Arab and international interest in supporting Syria over Lebanon. He encouraged economic cooperation between Syria and Lebanon, as both nations face challenges due to Israeli actions. Mitri also urged Syrian leadership to resolve the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons, calling for a legal framework to address the situation.