Hezbollah Rejects Lebanon's Plan to Consolidate Arms Control

Hezbollah criticized the Lebanese government's decision to task the army with arms regulation, intensifying national tensions. Despite U.S. demands for disarmament, Hezbollah refused to relinquish its weapons, arguing the move favors Israel. The army was directed to confine arms to official forces, with dissent from Shi'ite ministers.

Hezbollah has condemned the Lebanese government's recent decision to task the army with establishing a state monopoly on arms, accusing it of committing a 'grave sin.' This decision has further fueled national divisions over the longstanding issue of disarming the Shi'ite Muslim group.

Under pressure from the U.S. to deter Hezbollah's military influence, Lebanon's cabinet directed the army to draw up a plan to restrict arms to six official security bodies. However, Hezbollah, maintaining its strong stance, refused to comply, attributing the decision to American influence and indicating plans to ignore it.

The Lebanese cabinet's controversial debate comes amid continued tensions with Israel, following the U.S.-brokered ceasefire. The move to disarm Hezbollah is seen by many as a potential risk to internal stability, especially given ongoing Israeli military actions along Lebanon's borders.

(With inputs from agencies.)