Lebanon’s historic move to disarm Hezbollah: Challenges and hope for sovereignty

The Lebanese Cabinet’s recent decision to task the national army with drafting a comprehensive plan to manage all weapons within Lebanon marks an unprecedented and historic moment in the country’s troubled political landscape. For the first time, the Lebanese state has openly acknowledged the need to address the long-standing issue of armed groups operating outside state control, with a primary focus on Hezbollah’s vast arsenal. The goal is ambitious: to bring Hezbollah’s weapons under state authority by the end of the year, effectively advancing Lebanon’s sovereignty and potentially paving the way for a more stable and unified future.

This announcement, which came a day after the fifth anniversary of the devastating 2020 Beirut Port explosion-a tragedy that starkly exposed the country’s deep systemic failures-is a significant milestone. It signals a willingness within Lebanon’s fractured government to confront one of the most sensitive and contentious issues facing the nation. Yet, while the step is historic, it must be met with cautious optimism, as the path toward disarmament is fraught with complexity, entrenched interests, and potential instability.

The Lebanese state’s monopoly on weapons is a fundamental principle for any sovereign nation, yet for decades, Hezbollah has operated as a de facto armed militia beyond the control of the government or the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). The state’s recognition of this challenge and its commitment to drafting a plan to reclaim control over all arms signals a critical shift, but also reveals the profound difficulties ahead.

Hezbollah’s response was swift and predictable. Even before the Cabinet meeting concluded, Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem publicly rejected the plan. In a speech rich with defiant rhetoric and the familiar language of “resistance,” Qassem framed the state’s initiative as a betrayal-a submission to Israeli and US pressures-and warned against disarmament, insisting that Hezbollah alone is capable of defending Lebanon.

This narrative is deeply misleading. Hezbollah’s claim to be the country’s sole defender contradicts the reality witnessed during the conflict with Israel last autumn, where Hezbollah’s military actions resulted in destruction within Lebanon, harming Lebanese citizens and infrastructure. Far from protecting the country, Hezbollah’s weapons have often brought devastation and turmoil, entangling Lebanon in regional conflicts that undermine its sovereignty.

Despite Hezbollah’s framing of disarmament as a foreign imposition, particularly by the United States, the core demand for disarming armed groups is fundamentally Lebanese. The Lebanese people seek a unified nation governed by its army and civilian institutions-not fragmented by militias wielding power independent of the state.

It is essential to recognize that any progress on disarmament will be difficult. Hezbollah will almost certainly place conditions on relinquishing its weapons. These demands may include political guarantees, protection for its members accused of terrorism, or attempts to integrate its forces into official state structures. Such demands threaten to undermine true sovereignty by perpetuating sectarian power-sharing and allowing Hezbollah to retain influence within state institutions while preserving its military autonomy.

Most Lebanese are aware of the precarious balance within the country’s sectarian power-sharing system. Hezbollah, though not formally holding a veto within the Cabinet, effectively wields veto power through alliances with other political blocs, control over key ministries like finance, and the ability to disrupt consensus. These dynamics make it clear why the Cabinet’s resolution stops short of demanding immediate disarmament-instead opting for a framework and timetable that could allow for gradual progress without provoking outright confrontation.

Lebanon’s sectarian political system remains a significant obstacle. Hezbollah’s warnings of potential civil conflict or chaos if disarmament is pursued echo the country’s history of sectarian violence and civil war. These threats, often whispered to sow fear, complicate the government’s efforts to assert authority.

Nonetheless, Hezbollah’s justifications for its military autonomy are riddled with contradictions. References to the Taif Agreement, which ended Lebanon’s civil war and established the basis for political coexistence, are hollow when Hezbollah continues to violate state sovereignty. The organization’s willingness to invite Israeli military intervention and its involvement in territorial disputes, such as those concerning Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shouba Hills, cannot be ignored. These are issues the Lebanese state alone should manage, without extrajudicial armed actors.

In addition, Hezbollah’s threats to retaliate against Israel by launching missiles, potentially causing widespread destruction, neglect the fact that Lebanon’s civilian population would bear the brunt of any such conflict. The organization’s military actions not only threaten Israel but repeatedly endanger Lebanese lives and infrastructure.

Disarming Hezbollah’s military wing is only one part of the solution. Hezbollah operates extensive illegal networks involved in arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and money laundering, which have severely destabilized Lebanon’s already fragile economy and society. These illicit activities fuel corruption, erode state institutions, and further entrench Hezbollah’s power.

Dismantling these networks is crucial for restoring the rule of law and national sovereignty. A Lebanese state that cannot enforce its laws uniformly and prevent armed factions from operating in parallel systems cannot function as a sovereign nation. Hezbollah’s military autonomy and its close ties to foreign powers also compromise Lebanon’s neutrality and entangle the country in regional conflicts, undermining prospects for peace and political reform.

The Cabinet’s resolution, therefore, should be accompanied by robust measures to ban external financing of Lebanese political parties and organizations. Foreign funding of political groups undermines national sovereignty and perpetuates divisions within Lebanese society. Financial support must be transparent, regulated, and directed solely to the state to prevent external influence and interference.

The process of disarmament must also address justice. Hezbollah members involved in terror attacks against Lebanese and Syrian civilians should face legal accountability. The group’s violent actions cannot be excused or incorporated into future political developments. Justice and reconciliation are fundamental to building a stable Lebanon where all citizens enjoy equal rights and duties under the law.

The political system’s entrenched sectarianism complicates this path, but it also presents an opportunity for courageous non-Hezbollah Shiite leaders to break free from the group’s control. These leaders have a responsibility to advocate for disarmament and unite their communities behind the cause of Lebanese sovereignty and peace.

Lebanon today is a country in crisis-economically, politically, and socially. The legacy of militia rule and foreign entanglements has weakened state institutions and sown division among its people. The Cabinet’s decision to begin the process of reclaiming control over weapons is a crucial step toward national unity, reconstruction, and the restoration of sovereignty.

All Lebanese citizens deserve to live in a country where their safety, rights, and futures are protected by a unified state, not by armed factions with their own agendas. Disarmament, dismantling illegal networks, banning foreign political financing, and ensuring justice for victims of violence are essential pillars for building this future.

The road ahead is uncertain and will require unwavering determination, political courage, and broad-based national support. But Lebanon’s people have endured too long under the shadow of militias. Now is the time for bold action to reclaim the Lebanese state and forge a new path toward peace and stability.

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