Lebanon President Aoun Urges Hezbollah, Parties To Surrender Arms

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has called on all political parties, including Hezbollah, to hand over their weapons to the Lebanese army to extend state authority across the country. This demand comes amid increased pressure from the United States, which insists that Hezbollah must be disarmed before supporting reconstruction efforts or halting Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Aoun presented a proposal to the Lebanese cabinet that includes securing $1 billion annually for ten years to support the army and security forces, alongside plans for an international conference to aid Lebanon's reconstruction. Hezbollah, however, resists disarmament, with its leader Sheikh Naim Qassem stating that surrendering arms would effectively mean submitting to Israel, which they refuse to do. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between Lebanon's internal political dynamics and external pressures from the US and Israel. The Lebanese government is seeking a path forward that balances disarmament with reconstruction and security stabilization.