Youssef Rajji, the Lebanese foreign minister, stressing that disarming Hezbollah is a “national necessity,” stated that the group cannot hand over its weapons without the approval of Iran’s regime.
Rajji, in an interview with Al Arabiya on Saturday, December 6, referred to the role of Iran’s regime in Lebanon’s disarmament issue and said the group’s main concern today is buying time and preserving its position within Lebanon so it can regain its power.
He added that Hezbollah, as its officials have declared, is rebuilding itself in various ways, including with money, so that whenever an opportunity arises, it can regain its previous influence and position in Lebanon.
The Lebanese foreign minister emphasized that for this reason, Hezbollah’s activities are no longer focused on border areas and fighting Israel.
In September, a high-level U.S. delegation including Tom Barrack and Morgan Ortagus met Lebanese officials in Beirut. In their discussions, members of the delegation stated that Iran’s regime is the main obstacle to the process of disarming Hezbollah.
On August 7, the Lebanese government approved the main framework of a U.S. plan for disarming armed groups. However, Hezbollah—considered the most important proxy of Iran’s regime and severely weakened by repeated Israeli attacks—has refused to accept disarmament.
Rajji continued in the interview, saying he had seriously raised issues related to Hezbollah’s disarmament with Abbas Araghchi, the foreign minister of Iran’s regime, on the sidelines of regional meetings.
On December 4, Araghchi sent a written message to his Lebanese counterpart, inviting him to visit Iran for consultations on “expanding bilateral relations and reviewing regional and international developments.”
The Lebanese foreign minister added that he will respond to the invitation through “a diplomatic note.”
Ynet recently reported that Rajji had expressed readiness to meet Araghchi in a “neutral country” to discuss bilateral disagreements.
Lebanese officials have repeatedly emphasized in recent months that Tehran must refrain from interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
Hezbollah Secretly Rebuilding Itself with Help from Iran’s Regime
In one example, on December 4 the Lebanese Army denied reports by media outlets affiliated with Iran’s regime claiming that large numbers of its soldiers were simultaneously members of Hezbollah.
Recent remarks by Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran’s regime, stating that “the existence of Hezbollah is more essential for Lebanon than daily bread,” also sparked strong reactions from Rajji and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
“Hezbollah challenges the Lebanese state”
In his interview with Al Arabiya, the Lebanese foreign minister described the disarmament of Hezbollah and dismantling its military structure as a “Lebanese demand,” regardless of international requests.
Rajji expressed regret that Hezbollah remains unconvinced that handing over its weapons would benefit both Lebanon and the group itself as a “political party.”
According to him, the credibility of the Lebanese government now depends on its ability to exercise authority over the entire country and to restrict weapons to state-authorized forces.
Naim Qassem, Hezbollah’s deputy secretary-general, once again opposed the full disarmament of the group in a speech on December 5.
As international pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah increases, the Tehran-backed group has threatened that if the government insists and acts toward this goal, there may be a risk of “internal conflict.”
However, findings from a new Gallup survey show that the majority of Lebanese people want only the Lebanese Army to have the right to possess weapons.
The Lebanese foreign minister also warned that Hezbollah challenges and provokes the government on a daily basis.
Rajji stressed that the international community will take Lebanon seriously only if the government can demonstrate control over the country by monopolizing weapons and asserting the authority of its legal forces.
He added that the success of any diplomatic solution with Israel begins with the disarmament of Hezbollah.
