Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar told Al Jazeera that Hezbollah's arsenal neither stops Israeli strikes nor prevents all-out war, and that Hezbollah's own constituency paid the price for the group's 'fronts of support for Gaza and revenge for the assassination of the supreme leader Khamenei.' He urged Hezbollah to hand its weapons over to the Lebanese state as a national interest.
Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar made the remarks in an interview with Al Jazeera, according to a report published by Kan 11's Arab Desk on Thursday. Nassar stated flatly that Hezbollah's weaponry does not stop Israeli strikes and does not prevent an all-out war. He added that Hezbollah's own constituents have paid the price for the group's declared fronts — support for Gaza and revenge for the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whom the group holds Israel responsible for killing. Nassar argued that Iran, which he said is directly linked to Khamenei's assassination, has sat down for negotiations with the United States, while Hezbollah opposes direct talks with Israel. He expressed hope that the group would understand its national interest lies in handing its weapons to the Lebanese state for the defense and preservation of Lebanon.
The statement adds to a growing chorus of Lebanese officials publicly criticizing Hezbollah's armed status. As The Zioneer reported on June 5, Prime Minister Najib Salam said the conflict with Israel is not Lebanon's war and accused Iran of using southern Lebanon as a bargaining chip. On June 17, Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab detailed a multi-phase plan for Hezbollah disarmament tied to a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding. The justice minister's remarks, however, are unusual for their bluntness and for noting that Hezbollah's own community has suffered from the group's strategic decisions. Nassar did not specify concrete steps or a timeline for disarmament, and it remains unclear whether his appeal reflects broader government policy being advanced behind the scenes.
2 developments
- DevelopingLebanese PM says war with Hezbollah not Lebanon's, accuses Iran of using south as bargaining chip
- DevelopingQassem: Disarming Hezbollah will destroy Lebanon
- DevelopingIsraeli official: Lebanese army chief 'cooperates with Hezbollah'
- DevelopingHezbollah chief Qassem accuses Israel of existential threat to Lebanon, rejects 'safe zones'
Source and signal
- Internal intake