Salam: First phase of arms monopoly plan nearing completion

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Saturday that "the first phase of the plan on the arms monopoly south of the Litani River will be completed in a few days," following a meeting with Ambassador Simon Karam, Lebanon's negotiator in the "mechanism" tasked with monitoring the cease-fire with Israel.

"The first phase of the plan on the arms monopoly regarding the south of the Litani River will be completed in a few days. The state is ready to move on to the second phase, that is, north of the Litani, according to the plan developed by the army on behalf of the government," Salam said, according to remarks reported by the Grand Serail. He also emphasized "the need to provide the necessary support to the troops to enable them to fully assume their national responsibilities."

For his part, Simon Karam briefed Salam on the details and results of the latest "mechanism" meeting, which took place Friday in Naqoura.

On Dec. 3, President Joseph Aoun appointed Simon Karam, Lebanon’s former ambassador to Washington, as the civilian and diplomatic representative at the meetings of the cease-fire monitoring committee for November 2024. Until now, this body was composed exclusively of military members. The move was intended to send a clear message to the international community, particularly the United States, about Lebanon's willingness to engage in negotiations with Israel, which has threatened to escalate if Hezbollah is not disarmed quickly.

The first phase of the plan developed by the army so far has concerned the south of the Litani River, located about 30 kilometers from the Israeli border along the coast. It is to be completed before the end of 2025. Next, the forces are to disarm the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, then dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructures in Beirut and its southern suburbs as well as the surrounding areas, before turning to the Bekaa. The fifth stage of the army plan concerns the whole Lebanese territory. Hezbollah has so far refused to lay down its arms north of the Litani River.