Lebanon Army Completes Disarmament Phase One in Southern Region

Lebanese Army Completes First Phase of Disarmament Plan

The Lebanese army has announced the completion of its first phase of efforts to bring non-state weaponry under its control in the south of the country, covering an area between the Litani river and the Israeli border. According to a statement released on Thursday, the military has established a state monopoly on arms in the region “in an effective and tangible way”. The area south of the Litani river, approximately 30km from the border, is now under military control, with the exception of territory occupied by Israel.

The announcement comes amid ongoing pressure from the United States and Israel for Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah. The Lebanese army had set a self-imposed deadline of December 2025 to complete the first part of its multi-phase plan to disarm all non-state groups. However, officials have stated that additional work is needed to clear unexploded ordnance and tunnels in the area.

Army Commander Rodolphe Haykal will brief the government on Thursday afternoon regarding progress made. The Lebanese cabinet is expected to discuss moving forward with phase two of the plan, which would involve disarming non-state armed groups from a 40km stretch running north of the Litani to the Awali river.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has praised the Lebanese government and army’s efforts, but noted that they are “far from sufficient”. The United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon has stated there is no evidence that Hezbollah’s infrastructure has been rebuilt.

Source: Al Jazeera