Gemayel calls Hezbollah disarmament north of Litani 'double test' for party and state

BEIRUT — Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel said Monday, following a meeting with U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa, that the coming phase of the Lebanese Army's mission to disarm Hezbollah, which pertains to the party's military infrastructure north of the Litani River, will be a test for both the party and the government.

"The next stage is a 'double test': the first concerns Hezbollah," the Christian leader said during a press conference from his party's headquarters in Saifi. He blamed Hezbollah for "delaying Lebanon’s transition to a new phase, hindering the military’s work, and blocking international aid and reconstruction."

The second test involves "the Lebanese state, which must prove its seriousness by enabling the army to complete its mission north of the Litani, in order to extend its authority over the entire Lebanese territory," Gemayel said.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the first phase of the plan to secure a monopoly on weapons south of the Litani River would be completed "within a few days."

The army must then disarm the area between the Litani and Awali rivers, and then dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure step by step across the whole country, according to a plan it drew up at the request of the government, which Cabinet approved in September.

Hezbollah continues to refuse its total disarmament so long as Israel continues its attacks on the country and occupation of Lebanese territory along the Blue Line.

However, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem recently reiterated his openness to an internal dialogue on a "defense strategy." On Monday, sources close to Hezbollah told al-Arabiya that the party "longer has a military presence south of the Litani."

Gemayel also alled on the Lebanese Army to deploy "in the area north of the Litani," specifying that "the region south of the river is now cleared of all weapons" and noting that this should soon be officially announced.

"The only way to protect Lebanon and prevent the repetition of tragedies is the extension of Lebanese Army authority over the entire territory," Gemayel said. "Any area where the army is deployed is protected, while any region outside the authority and sovereignty of the state remains at risk, particularly in the South."

However, despite the Lebanese Army's near-complete deployment south of the Litani, Israel continues to bomb, shell, and fire on the area, regularly killing people and destroying buildings. The death toll from Israeli attacks since the ostensible truce came into effect last November has surpassed 350, according to L'Orient Today's count.