Aoun: Ban on Hezbollah's 'illegal military activities' an 'irreversible' decision

Meeting in the Baabda Presidential Palace with the ambassadors of the Quintet (United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar), Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stated Tuesday that the decision taken the previous day by the Cabinet, "guaranteeing that only the Lebanese state has the exclusive right to decide on war and peace and prohibiting any illegal military or security activity, is a sovereign and final decision, without any possibility of reversal."

He added that "the government has tasked the army and security forces with implementing this decision throughout all regions of Lebanon."

During the meeting, the diplomats affirmed their support for the Lebanese state's decision to reestablish its monopoly on weapons "by all necessary means," but also felt that the Lebanese Army should intervene to stop Hezbollah rocket fire toward Israel.

This was highlighted in a press briefing held by Egyptian Ambassador Alaa Moussa, following the diplomats' meeting with the head of state.

Israel has been bombing Lebanon intensively since Monday in retaliation for rocket fire by the party, justified by the latter as a response to the Israeli-American war against Iran.

The Israeli army announced Tuesday that Division 91, attached to the Northern Command and responsible for the front with Lebanon, is currently operating in southern Lebanon after being deployed to several new strategic points as part of a reinforcement of its defense system.

Pressure on Israel

Moussa also outlined the main themes of the Baabda meeting. 'The situation and developments were presented, as well as Lebanon's approach to dealing with them in a context of danger, and efforts to contain tensions. We discussed the role of the Quintet and the Mechanism [the body in charge of monitoring the cease-fire agreement reached at the end of November 2024 between Israel and Hezbollah] to prevent further harm to Lebanon, as well as the work of the Lebanese Army in the coming period and the measures the Lebanese state must take," the diplomat said.

The diplomat went on: "We affirmed our support for the Lebanese state at this stage and our full backing for the decisions of the Cabinet, stressing the rejection of any action outside Lebanese legitimacy. The diplomatic route is the safe refuge to protect Lebanon's security and stability and preserve its sovereignty."

Moussa was referring to the firm decision taken by the government on Monday to reestablish the state's monopoly on weapons "by all necessary means."

"We are committed to supporting the Lebanese army and confirm that a conference to support the army will be held in France [initially planned for March 5 and postponed at least until April] as soon as conditions allow," the Egyptian ambassador also said.

"Everyone supports the Lebanese state's decision. As for the continued rocket fire by Hezbollah, it is up to the Lebanese Army to act accordingly. President Aoun assured us that the army will continue to implement the second phase of its plan, without retreat," the diplomat concluded.

For his part, Aoun asked the Quintet countries to "put pressure on Israel to stop its aggressions against Lebanon," and confirmed "Lebanon's complete and final commitment to the provisions of the cease-fire, in order to preserve peace and stability, as well as our full readiness to resume negotiations on this subject with civil participation and under international auspices."

"Lebanon is counting heavily on the support of Quintet countries, which have already backed it and played a key role in preventing security deterioration and ending the presidential vacuum," the head of state continued.

He finally assured that "the rocket fire yesterday towards the occupied territories came from areas outside the south of the Litani, where the Lebanese Army is deployed and fully carrying out its mission in this region, as well as in other regions of Lebanon."