In an interview with the Qatari daily The New Arab, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun elaborated on the process of disarming Hezbollah, emphasizing his efforts to make 2025 the year "of the state monopoly on arms."

"The decision to limit weapons to the state has been made. What remains is to determine the execution modalities, which I envision as a bilateral dialogue between the presidency of the republic and Hezbollah," explained the former commander-in-chief of the Lebanese Army. "To those who criticize me because I want to remove Hezbollah's weapons through dialogue: What would they do in my place?" he asked, assuring, "I am working to make 2025 the year of the state's monopolization of arms."

Aoun also clarified: "We will not replicate the experience of the Iraqi Hashd al-Shaabi [a coalition of mostly pro-Iranian paramilitary groups integrated into the Iraqi state] by integrating Hezbollah into the army or making Hezbollah an independent unit within this army." However, he added, "On the other hand, its fighters will be able to join the army and undergo integration training, as was done at the end of the Lebanon war with several other parties."

Border demarcation

The head of state sought to clarify certain points regarding his discussions with U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus, who visited Beirut about 10 days ago. "The Americans are asking to speed up the process of state monopoly on arms, but I told them: If you wish, put pressure on Israel and let us handle Hezbollah," he reported, adding, "I told her that we want to take away Hezbollah's weapons, but we do not want to trigger a civil war in Lebanon."

The head of state also revisited the issue of potential "working groups" between Lebanese and Israeli officials, particularly on the delineation of the border between the two countries, as the prospect of "normalization" between Beirut and Tel Aviv continues to be mentioned by Washington. "I did not discuss with Morgan Ortagus the creation of diplomatic committees to handle sensitive issues with Israel," he indicated. "I told her that Israel's presence in the five border points gives Hezbollah an excuse [not to pursue disarmament]." "The Americans know that a process of normalization or peace negotiations between us and Israel is not feasible at the moment," he said.

On this matter, the Lebanese president disclosed that his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron had proposed assistance through French archives to confirm "Lebanon's sovereignty over the Shebaa Farms," a territory contested and occupied by Israel following its annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights in 1967.

4,500 additional soldiers

Aoun also announced his decision "to integrate about 4,500 additional soldiers to be sent south," specifying that this number will eventually reach 10,000. He assured that the army "carries out its missions without any opposition from the party, whether south of the Litani, north, or in the Bekaa." This situation leads him to once again commend Hezbollah's "restraint" in the face of near-daily Israeli violations of the cease-fire agreement that came into effect on Nov. 27. "Hezbollah has no intention of getting drawn into a new war," he affirmed, assuring that the party "has shown restraint and great awareness and has lived up to its responsibilities by not reacting to the Israeli violations."

Regarding the unauthorized rocket fire launched in March towards Israeli localities, Aoun revealed that the authorities now have "fingerprints of those who launched the rockets." "If they are Lebanese, we will know their identity," he assured. Several arrests were made following this incident, which provoked a violent attack by the Israeli army on the southern suburbs of Beirut.

Priority to Arab countries

On the regional level, Aoun indicated that his visit to Doha on Tuesday aimed to thank Qatar for its support, highlighting that he would ask the emirate to "continue its support for the Lebanese Army, and to invest in Lebanon, particularly in the electricity and oil sectors." "I asked the Emir of Qatar to continue his support for Lebanon on the issues of oil and soldiers' salaries; his response was: 'Consider it done,'" he stated.

Regarding his diplomatic priorities, the head of state expressed his wish to visit Washington, "but the priority goes to Arab countries, which are more capable of helping Lebanon," he said.

Finally, Aoun stressed that he maintains good relations with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. "Mr. Berri and I agree on all issues, especially on the question of the state's monopoly on arms," he noted. As for his relationship with the Prime Minister, he affirmed that "there is absolutely no problem between us."