Lebanese FM demands full dismantling of Hezbollah’s military; IDF hits rocket sites

As Beirut moves to confiscate Iran-backed group’s weapons, Youssef Rajji calls Hezbollah’s refusal to give up arms ‘unacceptable,’ says Lebanon has ‘deep problems’ with Tehran

Lebanon’s foreign minister on Wednesday criticized Hezbollah and demanded its entire military system be dismantled and disarmed, saying that it was “unacceptable” that a non-state armed organization continues to operate within the country.

In comments published by the Iranian WANA news agency, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji railed against both the Iran-backed terror group and Iran itself, as the Lebanese government has sharpened its tone against Tehran and Hezbollah in recent months.

Hezbollah’s entire military structure needs to be dismantled in order for Lebanon’s security to be guaranteed, Rajji said, calling for full disarmament and demilitarization beyond just the confiscation of small arms or the removal of Hezbollah forces and infrastructure from southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military carried out a wave of attacks in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, saying it targeted several Hezbollah rocket-launching sites.

Several buildings and other infrastructure recently used by the terror group’s operatives were also destroyed in the strikes, the military announced, saying the presence of the rocket-launching sites was a violation of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon.

According to Lebanese media, the IDF struck targets in the southern towns of Tebna and Nmairiyeh.

Last week, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the country was close to completing the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the Litani River, and that the government was now moving towards confiscating weapons north of Litani, “based on the plan prepared by the Lebanese army pursuant to a mandate from the government.”

Accusing Hezbollah of using Israeli attacks as an excuse to hold onto its arms, Rajji said that the group was trying to buy time in hope of political shifts and was refusing to seriously discuss full disarmament.

Rajji also claimed that Hezbollah was threatening Beirut with potential civil war if the government acts on its demands to fully disarm, a threat Rajji called unacceptable.

Turning his sights on Iran, the foreign minister said that the country was destabilizing Lebanon with its continued “direct” financial and military backing of Hezbollah.

“Iran is not our enemy, but we have deep problems with it,” Rajji said, stressing that Beirut seeks peaceful ties with Tehran, provided it respects Lebanese sovereignty and does not interfere in its politics or society.

Rajji, who is a member of the Christian-led Lebanese Forces party, has led the rhetorical charge against Iran and Hezbollah over the course of this year, recently calling Tehran’s influence in the region “very negative,” and “a source of instability.”

Earlier this month, Rajji refused an invitation to Tehran from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, saying: “I could not accept his invitation to visit Tehran under the current circumstances,” instead inviting Araghchi to come to Beirut or a “neutral” country.

Responding to his Lebanese counterpart’s comments, Araghchi said he would “gladly accept the invitation to come to Beirut,” although he said he found Rajji’s position “bemusing.” He said foreign ministers of countries with “full diplomatic relations” did not need a neutral venue to meet.

A year of intense conflict between the Lebanese Iran-backed terror group and Israel came to a halt just over a year ago with a US-brokered ceasefire. Under the terms of the truce, Hezbollah was to be disarmed and allow the Lebanese Armed Forces to deploy fully across the country as the IDF withdrew. That disarmament has not yet happened, however, despite Lebanon having drawn up a plan to do so.

Lebanon is now under pressure to speed up the process or risk intensifying Israeli action.

Israel has retained troops in Lebanon at five strategic points near the border, and regularly conducts strikes that it says are against Hezbollah attempts to rebuild its strength.