BEIRUT - Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah stated on Monday that the government should address other more 'priorities' before focusing on the 'national defense strategy,' while Nawaf Salam's cabinet examined the application of U.N. resolution 1701 and the recovery of the state's arms monopoly on Thursday.

'There are priorities that the government must address first, before moving on to other proposals related to how to protect national sovereignty through a national strategy,' Fadlallah said during a speech in Aitaroun (southern Lebanon) as part of a commemoration for Hezbollah members killed in Israeli strikes.

The four priorities of the Lebanese government

The MP emphasized that 'these priorities are fourfold: ending Israeli attacks,' 'expelling' the Israeli army from Lebanese territory, freeing Hezbollah prisoners 'captured on the battlefield,' and rebuilding villages destroyed during the war. 'Once these matters are accomplished, we can talk about a defense strategy to protect our country's sovereignty,' continued Hassan Fadlallah.

'At a time when the Israeli enemy continues to kill, infiltrate, and target our country, some tell the resistance: "Come discuss your strength and your weapons," without even condemning what the enemy commits.' 'We are not asking anyone to confront the enemy, but don't those who disdain the blood of our people feel ashamed not to condemn the murderers and demand the weapons of the resistance?' concluded the MP.

Lebanese authorities are pushing for the state to recover the 'monopoly of arms,' especially after two rocket launches from southern Lebanon towards Israel, to which the Israeli state responded violently, notably striking the southern suburbs of Beirut. Despite the truce concluded with Lebanon on Nov. 27, Israel continues to conduct almost daily strikes against suspected Hezbollah members and maintains a presence in southern Lebanon in five positions it considers 'strategic.'

Last week, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated that he is working to make 2025 the year of the state's monopoly on weapons. On Sunday, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that 'the Lebanese state is the sole master of the decision of war and peace, and the only party authorized to possess weapons.' Meanwhile, Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Kassem declared on Friday that his party 'will not allow anyone to disarm it,' calling for a 'dialogue on a comprehensive defense strategy.'