وزير خارجية لبنان: لا تراجع عن حصر السلاح بيد الدولة

Lebanese Foreign Minister Joseph Raji launched a sharp attack on Hezbollah, accusing it of exploiting the Shia community and monopolizing its decision-making. In an interview with the "Al Arabiya/Al Hadath" channels today (Wednesday), he emphasized that the decision to restrict weapons to the state is irreversible, describing the government's decision regarding the surrender of Hezbollah's weapons as "historic." Raji pointed out that Lebanon "has gone through decades of occupation and the dominance of factions that have no connection to it."

The Foreign Minister blamed previous Lebanese leaderships, confirming that they distanced Lebanon from its Arab surroundings, but the current authority has brought it back to the Arab and international arena. He expressed hope that all parties would join the state project.

Regarding the plan assigned to the army to implement the government decision to restrict weapons, the Foreign Minister revealed that the army might request an additional two-week extension to present it, but he confirmed it would be submitted by next September.

He noted that the government has asked U.S. envoy Tom Brack to compel Israel to implement the terms of the ceasefire agreement reached last November after a year of confrontations between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

Concerning the controversy surrounding the comments made by Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani and his response, Raji said: I did not meet with Larijani due to his leadership's attacks on Lebanon, pointing out that the government and officials have repeatedly informed the Iranians of their rejection of interference in Lebanese affairs.

Larijani had said during his visit to Beirut last week, when asked if he would meet with the Foreign Minister, that his schedule was tight. Raji then responded by saying that even if he had time, he would not meet with him.

Informed sources revealed that Speaker of the House Nabih Berri urged Hezbollah to cooperate with the Lebanese army. The sources reported that Berri confirmed to Hezbollah that there is no benefit in using the street to protest against the disarmament decision or to overturn it. They mentioned that the Speaker called on the party to support the government in extending UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon.

The Lebanese government approved at the beginning of this month the restriction of weapons to the state and tasked the army with developing a plan for this purpose by the end of the month, with the surrender of weapons expected to be completed by the end of the year.