Lebanese president urges Hezbollah to embrace state authority, rejects armed autonomy

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun firmly asserted that Hezbollah must accept the primacy of the state, emphasizing that the possession and use of arms should be the exclusive domain of official Lebanese institutions.

“Hezbollah has no choice but to accept the concept of the state,” President Aoun declared in a televised interview with Egyptian media ahead of his diplomatic visit to Cairo, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“Hezbollah has the right to take part in political life, but weapons must be restricted to the state,” he stressed, signaling a firm stance on consolidating national sovereignty.

President Aoun also addressed ongoing efforts to resolve Lebanon's long-standing territorial disputes with Israel, revealing that Beirut had requested US-mediated indirect negotiations to settle land border issues. “We have asked for US-sponsored indirect negotiations with Israel over the land border, similar to the negotiations that had taken place over the maritime border,” he disclosed.

Clarifying the scope of these discussions, the president added, “I have not received a request for direct negotiations with Israel,” distancing his administration from any perception of bilateral diplomatic normalization.

He went on to underscore the United States’ pivotal role in the region. “No one can pressure Israel but the United States,” Aoun remarked, expressing cautious optimism about Washington’s involvement. He noted, “I believe that Washington has ‘positive’ intentions.”

Turning to domestic security concerns, Aoun addressed the volatile situation in Palestinian refugee camps across Lebanon, where non-state armed groups continue to operate with relative impunity. “We will take escalatory measures against anyone undermining the Lebanese scene,” he warned, pledging a tougher line on unauthorized weapons outside state control.

The President also revealed he is awaiting a visit from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to directly address the sensitive issue of arms proliferation within the camps. “We are ready to work closely to find a solution,” he implied.

As part of his forthcoming visit to Egypt, Aoun said he would hold talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi focused on bolstering Lebanon's defence capabilities. Specifically, he will request military assistance aimed at enhancing the Lebanese army’s capacity to deal with subterranean threats and explosive ordnance. “We will discuss providing the Lebanese army with equipment to handle explosives and tunnels,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva