Lebanon's government decides to disarm militias

Hezbollah had previously stated several times that it would not agree to disarmament as long as Israel did not cease its almost daily attacks and Israeli troops continued to be stationed at posts in southern Lebanon.

Information Minister Paul Morcos said after the meeting that the cabinet had approved "the objectives set out in the American document", which was presented by US envoy Tom Barrack. The US plan envisages the complete disarmament of the Hezbollah militia by the end of 2025. The cabinet approved the timeframe, but left the development of a plan to the Lebanese army.

Shiite ministers leave meeting

Ministers from Hezbollah and its ally, the Shiite Amal movement, left the meeting. It was a protest against the government's approval of the complete US disarmament plan, explained Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar. The latter is close to Hezbollah.

Critics of the plan believe that such a decision without the approval of Shiite representatives may be unconstitutional. Alongside Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims form the largest population group in the country. In Lebanon, which is divided along sectarian lines, power is traditionally divided between the religious groups according to a system of proportional representation.

US envoy Barrack congratulated Prime Minister Nauaf Salam, President Joseph Aoun and the Council of Ministers on the "historic, courageous and correct decision". The cabinet's decisions were a first concrete step towards implementing the principle of "one country, one army".

The demand to disarm Hezbollah is politically risky for the Lebanese government. It is feared that the country could slide into another political crisis if Hezbollah members leave the government in protest.