Daijiworld Media Network – Beirut

Beirut, Sep 7: A senior Hezbollah official on Saturday said the group viewed Lebanon’s cabinet discussions on an army plan to establish a state monopoly on arms as “an opportunity to return to wisdom,” but stressed that implementation must remain suspended unless Israel halts its strikes and withdraws troops from the south.

Hezbollah’s Mahmoud Qmati told Reuters the group’s stance followed Friday’s cabinet meeting, where ministers welcomed the army’s plan to disarm Hezbollah under a U.S.-backed roadmap. The cabinet, however, stopped short of giving formal approval, citing the military’s limited capacity and ongoing Israeli operations.

“Without Israel halting strikes and withdrawing, Lebanon’s implementation of the plan should remain suspended until further notice,” Qmati said. He reaffirmed Hezbollah’s rejection of both the army plan and the U.S. roadmap, calling instead for a “national defense strategy.”

Lebanon has faced growing pressure from the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Hezbollah’s domestic rivals to rein in the Iran-backed group, especially after last year’s devastating war with Israel. Israel recently signaled readiness to scale back its military presence if Hezbollah were disarmed, but has continued airstrikes, killing four people on Wednesday.

The disarmament debate has deepened Lebanon’s political rift. Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem last month warned of possible civil strife if the government moved to confront the group, even raising the possibility of street protests.