Lebanese President Aoun announces plan to centralize weapons, targets Palestinian and Hezbollah arms

BEIRUT — In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, a Syriac Maronite, declared his commitment to centralizing weapons possession under the authority of the Lebanese state, emphasizing the critical importance of implementing this initiative, particularly in southern Lebanon.

Aoun outlined a comprehensive disarmament plan that would encompass all Lebanese territories, with special attention to the presence of weapons in Palestinian camps. He disclosed plans to host Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Beirut to discuss strategies for the withdrawal of Palestinian arms.

The president identified the ongoing Israeli occupation of certain areas as a significant obstacle to achieving these objectives. He underscored the role of the Lebanese Army in securing the nation’s borders while refraining from interference in internal matters. Aoun also urged the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) to assist in border control efforts.

In a related development, President Aoun met with a US military delegation led by General Jasper Jeffers. During the meeting, Aoun called on the US to pressure Israel to cease its aggressions and withdraw from Lebanese territories.

Separately, a security source told AFP that the Lebanese Army has dismantled more than 90% of Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in areas south of the Litani River, near the Israeli border, following the enforcement of a ceasefire. The source confirmed that most military structures in the region have been removed, and operations continue to ensure no hidden infrastructure remains.

The source added that Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the area has allowed the Lebanese Army to conduct its operations without external interference.

President Aoun’s initiative marks a significant step in addressing the proliferation of weapons across Lebanon and underscores his administration’s efforts to assert state control over security and territorial integrity.