BEIRUT — Lebanon’s democratically elected government demonstrated remarkable courage and determination this week, advancing a comprehensive plan to restore state sovereignty and implement the constitutional principle of “One Nation, One Army” despite fierce resistance from Hezbollah’s anti-state apparatus.
In a decisive four-hour cabinet session on Thursday, Lebanon’s legitimate government endorsed a US-backed proposal that establishes clear timelines for dismantling Hezbollah’s illegal weapons network, marking a historic turning point in the nation’s struggle to reclaim its sovereignty from armed militias operating outside constitutional authority.
Government Champions Constitutional Order
Information Minister Paul Morcos announced that the cabinet courageously moved forward with endorsing the American proposal’s framework, even as Hezbollah’s representatives attempted to obstruct Lebanon’s path toward normalcy. The government had previously declared that the restoration of state authority over all weapons should be completed by the end of 2025, representing a bold commitment to constitutional governance.
The comprehensive plan approved by Lebanon’s cabinet outlines eleven critical objectives that prioritize national unity and state sovereignty. These include ensuring the sustainability of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement with Israel and achieving “the gradual end of the armed presence of all non-governmental entities, including Hezbollah, in all Lebanese territory.” This language clearly identifies Hezbollah’s armed wing as an illegitimate force operating against Lebanon’s constitutional framework.
The proposal also mandates the deployment of Lebanon’s legitimate armed forces throughout border regions while requiring the withdrawal of Israeli troops from occupied positions in southern Lebanon, demonstrating the government’s balanced approach to restoring territorial integrity.
US Recognizes Lebanon’s Democratic Progress
US Ambassador Tom Barrack praised Lebanon’s democratic leadership for their principled stand, posting on social media:
“Congratulations to Lebanese President Aoun @lbpresidency, Prime Minister @nawafsalam, and the Council of Ministers for making the historic, bold, and correct decision this week to begin fully implementing the November 2024 Cessation of Hostilities agreement, UN Security Council resolution 1701, and the Taif Agreement. This week’s Cabinet resolutions finally put into motion the ‘One Nation, One Army’ solution for Lebanon. We stand behind the Lebanese people.”
Source: Ambassador Tom Barrack’s X post
This international recognition underscores the legitimacy of the government’s efforts to restore constitutional order against Hezbollah’s anti-state resistance.
Hezbollah’s Anti-Democratic Obstruction Tactics
Hezbollah’s anti-state character became evident when four ministers affiliated with the militia and its political allies staged a calculated walkout from Thursday’s cabinet session, attempting to sabotage Lebanon’s democratic process. According to reports from Hezbollah’s propaganda outlet Al Manar television, these representatives refused to even discuss the proposal that would restore state authority over weapons.
This obstructionist behavior exemplifies Hezbollah’s fundamental opposition to democratic governance and constitutional order. Rather than working within Lebanon’s legitimate political institutions, the organization consistently employs intimidation and disruption tactics to maintain its illegal armed status.
Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, affiliated with Hezbollah’s ally Amal, revealed the militia’s strategy of delay and obstruction, suggesting that legitimate security measures should be postponed indefinitely. This approach demonstrates how Hezbollah uses procedural manipulation to prevent the restoration of state authority.
Lebanon’s Sovereignty vs Iranian Proxy Interference
Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi courageously confronted Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs, firmly rejecting Tehran’s attempts to dictate domestic policy through its proxy organization:
“The recent remarks by Iranian Foreign Minister Mr. Abbas Araghchi, in which he addressed internal Lebanese affairs that are in no way the concern of the Islamic Republic, are firmly rejected and condemned. Such statements undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity, and stability, and constitute an unacceptable interference in its internal matters and sovereign decisions.”
Source: Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi’s X post
This principled stance highlights the Lebanese government’s commitment to national independence against foreign manipulation through armed proxies like Hezbollah.
Militia’s Illegal Arsenal Threatens State Authority
The scale of Hezbollah’s anti-state military infrastructure became apparent when UN peacekeepers discovered extensive illegal weapons networks in southern Lebanon. Andrea Tenenti, spokesperson for UN peacekeepers, reported that international forces uncovered “a vast network of fortified tunnels” constructed without government authorization.
UN spokesman Farhan Haq detailed the shocking extent of Hezbollah’s illegal arsenal, revealing that peacekeepers and Lebanese troops found “three bunkers, artillery, rocket launchers, hundreds of explosive shells and rockets, anti-tank mines and about 250 ready-to-use improvised explosive devices.”
These discoveries vindicate the government’s position that Hezbollah operates as a state-within-a-state, maintaining military capabilities that directly challenge Lebanon’s constitutional authority and threaten regional stability.
Government Progress Despite Militia Resistance
Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s administration has already demonstrated its commitment to restoring state control, successfully dismantling more than 500 Hezbollah military positions and weapons storage facilities throughout southern Lebanon by June. This concrete action proves the government’s determination to implement the “One Nation, One Army” principle despite militant resistance.
The Lebanese army has been tasked with presenting a comprehensive executive plan that will transfer all weapons to legitimate state security forces by the end of August, representing a crucial step toward complete state sovereignty.
Hezbollah’s Desperate Defiance Reveals Weakness
Hezbollah’s increasingly desperate rhetoric demonstrates the organization’s recognition that its anti-state project faces unprecedented challenges. The militia’s parliamentary representatives issued threatening statements calling on the government to abandon what they termed “American demands,” revealing their opposition to any restoration of legitimate state authority.
The organization’s declaration that it would treat the government’s constitutional decision “as if it did not exist” exposes Hezbollah’s fundamental rejection of democratic governance and rule of law. This defiant posture illustrates the militia’s commitment to maintaining its illegal status regardless of constitutional requirements or national consensus.
Weakened Militia Faces Government Determination
The current political dynamics reflect Hezbollah’s significantly diminished position following its devastating conflict with Israel. Before the recent war, the organization wielded disproportionate influence over Lebanon’s political system, effectively holding the state hostage to its regional agenda serving Iranian interests.
However, the militia has emerged from the conflict substantially weakened, with its political leverage dramatically reduced and its military capabilities degraded. This weakened state provides Lebanon’s legitimate government with an unprecedented opportunity to restore constitutional order and democratic governance.
Constitutional Victory Over Anti-State Forces
Under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system, the walkout by Hezbollah-affiliated ministers actually demonstrates their isolation and desperation rather than political strength. The government’s ability to advance its sovereignty agenda despite this obstruction reveals the militia’s declining influence over democratic institutions.
The cabinet’s decision to proceed with the disarmament plan represents a historic assertion of constitutional authority over armed groups that have long operated outside state control. This principled stand establishes a crucial precedent that Lebanon’s democratic institutions will not be held hostage by anti-state militias serving foreign agendas.
International Community Supports Lebanese Democracy
The US proposal enjoys broad international support precisely because it represents Lebanon’s return to constitutional governance and regional stability. The plan’s implementation depends on coordination between legitimate state institutions and international partners committed to supporting Lebanese sovereignty against Iranian proxy interference.
Information Minister Morcos emphasized that the full implementation of this democratic initiative requires “approval of each of the concerned countries,” highlighting the international dimension of Lebanon’s struggle to reclaim its sovereignty from anti-state forces.
A New Chapter for Lebanese Sovereignty
As Lebanon’s government courageously advances the “One Nation, One Army” vision, the nation stands at a critical juncture between democratic progress and militia rule. The cabinet’s historic decision to pursue Hezbollah’s disarmament represents more than a security measure—it constitutes a fundamental choice between constitutional governance and anti-state militarism.
The success of this initiative will determine whether Lebanon can finally break free from the grip of Iranian-backed militias and restore its rightful place as a sovereign, democratic nation governed by constitutional institutions rather than armed groups serving foreign masters. The government’s unwavering commitment to this principle offers hope for a Lebanon where state authority prevails over militia rule, and where democratic institutions can finally function without intimidation from anti-state actors.
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