Summary
- The Lebanese Cabinet approved U.S. proposal goals
Thursday.
- The proposal aims to solidify a ceasefire with Israel.
- The plan includes Hezbollah's full disarmament by
year-end.
- Israeli military withdrawal from southern Lebanon
mandated.
- Lebanese Army to implement a disarmament plan by August.
This US-backed plan notably includes a phased
process for the disarmament of Hezbollah by the end of 2025, alongside an
Israeli withdrawal from five military positions in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos
confirmed that the Cabinet accepted the principles of gradually ending the
presence of non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah, and ensuring Israel’s
withdrawal with cessation of hostilities on land, air, and sea.
However, the full details of the plan have yet
to be thoroughly discussed by the Cabinet.
After a Cabinet meeting at the presidential residence in Baabda, east of Beirut, Morcos told reporters that the government supported the goals stated in the preamble of US ambassador Tom Barrack's proposal to uphold the cease-fire.
“We approved ending the armed presence across all Lebanese territory, including Hezbollah, and deploying the Lebanese army to border areas,”
Morcos stated.
He added that the government’s decisions are intended to
“restore stability, uphold state authority, and launch reconstruction efforts.”
How will the US proposal impact Hezbollah’s disarmament process in Lebanon?
The Lebanese government must issue a formal
decree committing to the complete disarmament of Hezbollah by December 31,
2025. Concurrently, Israel is to halt all military operations across land, air,
and sea.
Lebanon begins implementing the disarmament
plan, including the Lebanese army’s deployment to control all arms and define
specific disarmament goals. Israel starts withdrawing from its military
positions in southern Lebanon, and detainees held by Israel are to be released
with coordination from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israel withdraws from the remaining positions,
and funding is arranged for debris removal and infrastructure reconstruction in
Lebanon.