The Lebanese army is prepared to advance to the second phase of consolidating weapons under state control, extending from the Litani River to the Awali River, as stated by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri at a conference in Beirut. The plan, approved by the government on August 5, aims to place all weapons, including those held by Hezbollah, under state authority by the end of 2025, although Hezbollah opposes disarmament until Israeli forces withdraw. Mitri emphasized the army’s credibility and progress in extending state authority in the region, while highlighting the need for economic cooperation between Lebanon and Syria. He also urged the Syrian leadership to address the issue of Lebanese detainees in their prisons and establish a legal framework for resolution.
