Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council tackles Palestinian weapons and border security during first session under President Aoun

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council held its inaugural session under President Joseph Aoun, a Syriac Maronite, at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on Thursday. The meeting focused on critical security issues, including the presence of Palestinian weapons in refugee camps and the broader challenge of unauthorized arms across the country.

Official sources indicated that the Council reviewed several pressing matters, including the ceasefire agreement in southern Lebanon, border security with Syria, and illicit weapons proliferation. A substantial portion of the discussions centered on the longstanding issue of Palestinian arms in Lebanon’s refugee camps — a topic that has fueled debate within the nation’s political landscape.

President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reiterated their commitment to exclusive state control over all weapons. Reflecting this position, the Council reaffirmed its intention to bring arms in Palestinian camps under Lebanese state authority.

These resolutions are expected to feature prominently in forthcoming talks between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Lebanese officials during his visit to Beirut on 21 May.

Additionally, Council sources disclosed plans to formally request Hamas to surrender individuals involved in last month’s rocket attacks launched from southern Lebanon toward Israeli settlements in Metula and Kiryat Shmona.

Lebanon hosts 12 official Palestinian refugee camps and 57 informal gathering points, collectively accommodating approximately 235,000 refugees. Weapons are unevenly distributed across these camps, but security officials underscore the need for state oversight to prevent further instability.

The meeting signals a renewed push by Lebanese authorities to address persistent security challenges while navigating delicate diplomatic relations with Palestinian factions. As Lebanon grapples with complex regional dynamics, managing armed groups within its borders remains a central focus of its national security agenda.