Beirut: The Lebanese government will not back down from a decision to enforce exclusive state control over weapons, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday. 'The government can't retract the decision that weapons must be held only by legitimate state forces,' Salam stated during an interview with Jordan's Al-Mamlaka TV. He emphasized that the issue is not new and aligns with the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon's civil war and called for the state to extend its authority across the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, Salam has also sought continued support from Jordan's King Abdullah II for the Lebanese army as it confronts mounting challenges, particularly along the southern border. Salam expressed confidence in Jordan's unwavering support, citing past instances of assistance. This development comes as Lebanon advances its plan to restrict all arms possession to the national army by the end of the year. The move faces strong opposition from Hezbollah, which has dismissed the government decision as politically motivated and in alignment with Israeli and US pressures, labeling it a 'grave sin.'

The plan is based on a US proposal delivered by envoy Tom Barrack, which outlines a timeline for disarming Hezbollah as part of a broader strategy to consolidate state authority and avoid further Israeli escalation. The Lebanese army is tasked with developing a concrete mechanism for implementing the disarmament by December 31, with a final decision expected afterward.

This controversy signifies a major political standoff within Lebanon, as US officials reportedly push Beirut to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the ceasefire terms agreed upon in November, which mandate limiting weapons to official security agencies. The backdrop to this plan includes a military offensive launched by Israel in Lebanon on October 8, 2023, which escalated into a full-scale war by September 2024, resulting in over 4,000 deaths and approximately 17,000 injuries.

A ceasefire was reached in November; however, Israeli forces have conducted near-daily attacks in southern Lebanon, citing Hezbollah activities as the target. Under the truce, Israel was expected to fully withdraw from southern Lebanon by January 26, but the deadline was extended to February 18 following Tel Aviv's non-compliance. Israel continues to maintain a military presence at five border outposts.