Statement issued by Hezbollah:
The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has committed a grave sin in making a decision that strips Lebanon of its weapon of resistance against the Israeli enemy, which weakens Lebanon's capability and position in the face of the continued Israeli-American aggression against it, and achieves for Israel what it failed to achieve in its aggression on Lebanon, where we confronted it in the Battle of the Resolute that led to an agreement obligating Israel to cease its aggression and withdraw from Lebanon.
This decision constitutes a clear constitutional violation and a violation of the government's ministerial statement, where the fifth paragraph states: "The government commits, in accordance with the National Accord Document approved in Taif, to take all necessary measures to liberate all Lebanese territories from Israeli occupation and extend state sovereignty over all its territories exclusively through its own forces and deploy the Lebanese Army in the internationally recognized Lebanese border area."
Preserving Lebanon's strength and the resistance's weapons is part of Lebanon's strength, and it is among the necessary measures, as is working to increase Lebanon's strength by arming and strengthening the army so it can expel the Israeli enemy from state territories and liberate and protect them, which is among the necessary measures.
This decision came as a result of dictates from American envoy Barak, as mentioned in the reasons for its proposal in the Council of Ministers and the justifications for its approval, with President Salam announcing that the Council of Ministers "decided to complete discussions on the American paper next Thursday, and to task the Lebanese Army with developing an implementation plan for confining weapons before the end of this year." This decision fully serves Israel's interests and leaves Lebanon exposed to the Israeli enemy without any deterrence.
The government has disregarded President of the Republic General Joseph Aoun's commitment in his oath speech to discuss the national security strategy, saying: "I pledge to call for discussing an integrated defense policy as part of a national security strategy at diplomatic, economic, and military levels that enables the Lebanese state, I repeat the Lebanese state, to remove Israeli occupation and repel its aggression from all Lebanese territories." What the government has decided is part of a surrender strategy and an explicit abandonment of Lebanon's sovereignty components.
The withdrawal of Hezbollah and Amal Movement ministers from the session is an expression of rejection of this decision, and an expression of the resistance's rejection representing significant segments of Lebanese society from all regions, sects, and parties, and also an expression of broad popular rejection of the decision to subject Lebanon to American guardianship and Israeli occupation.
This decision undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and gives Israel free rein to tamper with its security, geography, politics, and future existence, and therefore we will treat this decision as if it does not exist.
At the same time, we are open to dialogue, ending Israeli aggression on Lebanon, liberating its land, releasing prisoners, working to build the state, and reconstructing what was destroyed by the brutal aggression, and we are prepared to discuss the national security strategy but not under the pressure of aggression.
The agreement must be implemented by the Israeli side first, and the government must work as a priority to "take all necessary measures to liberate all Lebanese territories from Israeli occupation" as stated in its ministerial statement. To our honorable people we say: it is a summer cloud that will pass, God willing, and we are accustomed to being patient and victorious.
Media Relations in Hezbollah
Wednesday: 6-8-2025
12 - Safar - 1447 AH
