Lebanon’s cabinet on Friday endorsed an army proposal to disarm Hezbollah, highlighting the country’s deepening political divisions but leaving the timeline and implementation uncertain.
The plan, presented by army commander Rodolphe Haykal during a three-hour cabinet meeting, is the first official step toward tackling one of Lebanon’s most contentious issues. Information Minister Paul Morcos said the government welcomed the proposal but stopped short of declaring it formally adopted, stressing that execution would require “additional time and effort.”
The session was thrown into turmoil after all five Shi’ite ministers walked out in protest as Haykal entered the room. Hezbollah allies rejected the move, with Labour Minister Mohammad Haidar warning that decisions taken without Shi’ite representation would be “null and void” under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system.
Debate over Hezbollah’s weapons has escalated since last year’s war with Israel, which shifted the group’s long-held dominance. Calls for disarmament have intensified from the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Hezbollah’s domestic opponents, particularly within Christian and Sunni political blocs.
Hezbollah has resisted such discussions, insisting its arsenal is necessary as long as Israel continues airstrikes and maintains control of southern Lebanon. Israeli strikes on Wednesday killed four people, further fuelling the group’s stance.
Analysts warn the cabinet’s decision may inflame tensions in a country already facing political paralysis, economic collapse, and the fallout of war. With no clear timeline and no consensus among Lebanon’s factions, the future of the initiative remains uncertain.
