Lebanese President stresses need to disarm Hezbollah through dialogue

IANS April 7, 2025 314 views

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has emphasized the critical need to disarm Hezbollah through dialogue and national consensus. During a meeting with an American delegation, Aoun stressed that weapons outside state control are unacceptable and that communication is key to resolving differences. The President revealed plans to draft a National Security Strategy and highlighted Lebanon's commitment to peaceful internal resolution. Aoun also called for international support, particularly from the United States, in addressing regional challenges and implementing necessary reforms.

"There is no place for weapons or armed groups outside the framework of the state." - Joseph Aoun, Lebanese President
Beirut, April 7: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed on Monday that disarming Hezbollah is a national and international priority, stressing that the only viable path to achieving this goal is through dialogue, a statement from the presidency said.

Key Points

1

Lebanon prioritizes national security strategy

2

US delegation highlights Hezbollah disarmament urgency

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Peaceful resolution through communication

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Aoun seeks international support for reform

"As I said in my inauguration speech, there is no place for weapons or armed groups outside the framework of the state," Aoun stated. "These issues must be resolved through communication and dialogue. After all, Hezbollah is a Lebanese component."

He also revealed that work will soon begin on drafting a National Security Strategy, which will lay the foundation for a National Defence Strategy.

"We are all committed to the same objective," he added. "Differences in opinion are normal; that's the essence of democracy. What matters is that our goal is unified."

Aoun's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the American Task Force on Lebanon, led by Edward Gabriel, Xinhua news agency reported. The delegation delivered a clear message from Washington emphasising two urgent priorities: the disarmament of Hezbollah and the implementation of reforms necessary for Lebanon to access international financial aid.

Gabriel praised the efforts of the Lebanese army and the President personally, while also noting that "there is still much to be done." He added that the quicker reforms are implemented, the sooner the US can offer meaningful support.

Gabriel also disclosed that the US Congress is preparing a funding bill for Lebanon next year.

In addition, Aoun emphasized the need to ease tensions in the south, underlining that Lebanon needs both time and space to resolve issues calmly.

He called on the United States to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five points Israel continues to occupy, saying their presence complicates the situation further. To bolster security, he noted that the Lebanese government had recently approved the recruitment of 4,500 soldiers.

Since November 27, 2024, a ceasefire agreement between Lebanon's Hezbollah and Israel has been in effect, putting an end to more than a year of hostilities triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli military occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming that the operations target Hezbollah "threats".

Reader Comments

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Sarah K.
Finally some leadership! Dialogue is the only way forward for Lebanon. We've seen enough violence and division. Hoping this National Security Strategy brings real change 🤞
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Mohammad R.
While I appreciate the call for dialogue, this feels like empty words without concrete steps. Hezbollah won't disarm just because we ask nicely. The international community needs to put real pressure.
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Layla T.
The recruitment of 4,500 soldiers is a positive step! We need a strong national army that can protect all Lebanese without relying on militias. 🇱🇧
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Jad F.
Respectfully, I think President Aoun is being too optimistic. Hezbollah has resisted disarmament for decades. Dialogue is important but we need stronger mechanisms to ensure compliance.
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Amina S.
The US funding bill could be a game-changer if tied to real reforms. But we need to make sure this doesn't become another tool for foreign interference. Lebanon's sovereignty matters!
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Tony G.
Interesting that this comes right after the ceasefire. Maybe now there's actually space for these talks to happen without the shadow of war. Cautiously hopeful!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Lebanon Joseph Aoun Hezbollah US Diplomacy National Security Middle East Politics
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