Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stepped up his calls for Hizbollah to disarm yesterday, suggesting failure to do so would give Israel an excuse to continue attacks and saying the issue would be on the agenda of a cabinet meeting next week.
The comments reflect mounting pressure over the issue of Hizbollah’s arms, which has loomed over Lebanon since the Iran-aligned group was pummelled in a war with Israel last year. Washington wants Hizbollah disarmed – a demand echoed by the Beirut government as it aims to establish a monopoly on weapons.
Hizbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a televised speech on Wednesday that calls for its disarmament served only Israel.
The Israeli military said in a statement it had yesterday struck infrastructure used to produce and store weapons in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, as well as in the south of the country, including an explosives manufacturing site it said was used to develop Hizbollah weaponry.
Israel killed many Hizbollah commanders and thousands of its fighters last year, while also destroying much of its arsenal.
In a speech to army officers, Aoun said the government would next week discuss Lebanon’s amendments to a US roadmap to disarm Hizbollah.
Lebanon’s counter proposal demands an immediate halt to Israel’s attacks, its withdrawal from positions held in the south, the establishment of state control over all Lebanon and the disarmament of armed groups including Hizbollah, he said.
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