Lebanon’s Christian party leader calls for Hezbollah disarmament

Lebanon’s leading Christian politician, Samir Geagea, has called on Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the state “as soon as possible,” warning that the group has “no other choice.”

Speaking to AFP from his residence in Maarab, north of Beirut, Geagea, who heads the Lebanese Forces Party, said:

“Hezbollah has no choice but to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state... because that state has made that decision.”

Geagea’s remarks come amid intensifying pressure on Hezbollah to disarm as its confrontation with Israel continues. Facing strong US pressure and fearing a possible escalation of Israeli military action, the Lebanese government is reportedly moving forward with efforts to disarm the movement, with the Lebanese army launching a plan that begins in the country’s southern regions.

“Hezbollah should certainly learn from what is currently happening with Hamas,” Geagea said, noting that “this is an additional reason for it to hand over its weapons to the state as soon as possible.”

His comments come as Hamas and Israel are engaged in indirect talks in Egypt over US President Donald Trump’s 20-point proposal aimed at ending the Gaza conflict and outlining a roadmap for post-war governance.

The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah erupted in October 2023 alongside the Gaza war and escalated into two months of intense fighting last year before a ceasefire was reached in November. Hezbollah suffered significant losses during the confrontation, including much of its top leadership and its long-time leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

“I don’t really understand what they (Hezbollah) are doing… I didn’t understand the war in support of Hamas,” Geagea said, adding, “It was clear where this was going.”

Geagea’s Lebanese Forces Party, a long-time rival of Hezbollah, currently holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s parliament. He urged the Lebanese authorities to act with greater “firmness” in asserting the state’s monopoly on arms, stressing that the real decision over Hezbollah’s disarmament lies with Iran, which he said has “long supplied” the group with both money and weapons.

By Tamilla Hasanova