New Lebanese Govt Will Not Revise ‘Resistance Clause’ in Policy Statement

Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri (C-L) and President Michel Aoun (C) and Prime Minister Najib Mikati (C-R) pose for a group photo with the newly formed government at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut. (Dalati & Nohra)
Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri (C-L) and President Michel Aoun (C) and Prime Minister Najib Mikati (C-R) pose for a group photo with the newly formed government at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut. (Dalati & Nohra)
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New Lebanese Govt Will Not Revise ‘Resistance Clause’ in Policy Statement

Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri (C-L) and President Michel Aoun (C) and Prime Minister Najib Mikati (C-R) pose for a group photo with the newly formed government at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut. (Dalati & Nohra)
Lebanon's parliament speaker Nabih Berri (C-L) and President Michel Aoun (C) and Prime Minister Najib Mikati (C-R) pose for a group photo with the newly formed government at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital Beirut. (Dalati & Nohra)

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s government will not revise the clause pertaining to Hezbollah’s weapons in its ministerial statement, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

A ministerial committee assigned to draft the new cabinet’s policy statement began its work on Monday, amid expectations that its mission would be swift as the majority of files enjoy unanimity, including the item related to Hezbollah’s weapons and the conflict with Israel, which had sparked disputes in previous governments.

Sources familiar with the committee’s meetings told Asharq Al-Awsat that the clause on the resistance would not be changed, noting that a draft ministerial statement had been prepared by Mikati’s working team and was being discussed by the committee to draft the final version.

The “resistance clause”, which was adopted in 2005, referred to the “army, people and resistance” equation in the governments of 2008, 2009 and 2011. However, the governments of 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020 agreed on replacing the above phrase with the following: “Emphasizing the right of Lebanese citizens to resist the Israeli occupation, repel its aggression and recover occupied lands.”

The new government held its first session on Monday, in the presence of President Michel Aoun.

In a speech on the occasion, Aoun said that the cabinet would work on the economic recovery plan and the reforms detailed in the French initiative.

He added that Mikati’s government would, along with other tasks, prepare to hold the parliamentary elections set for May 8, 2022, complete the ongoing investigations into the Beirut Port explosion and proceed with the anti-corruption plan, in particular kicking off the forensic audit.

Regarding the financial and economic situation, Aoun pointed to the development of a plan to restructure the banking sector and a recovery strategy to tackle the financial crisis, in addition to completing negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Meanwhile, Information International issued a report showing that since the election of Aoun on Oct. 31, 2016, the country witnessed the formation of four governments, two abstentions by prime minister-designates and 696 days of ministerial vacuum.

Former Prime Minister Hassan Diab’s cabinet worked in a caretaker capacity for 366 days – the longest period in the history of Lebanese governments.



Lebanese President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament

Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Lebanese President Acknowledges ‘Slow Progress’ in Talks with Hezbollah on Disarmament

Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)
Aoun receives the key to the area of Sin al-Fil, where he lived before his election. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun acknowledged on Friday that negotiations with Hezbollah over its weapons are ongoing, though progressing slowly.

Speaking amid heightened tensions along the southern border with Israel, Aoun emphasized that dialogue is being conducted directly with Hezbollah, not through a formal security committee, and expressed cautious optimism over a gradual breakthrough.

“There is some responsiveness to the ideas we’re discussing, even if things are moving at a slow pace,” said Aoun, stressing that neither party desires war, which would carry severe consequences for all sides.

His remarks come as Hezbollah issued its first public response to the recent visit by US envoy Tom Barrack, rejecting the American proposal focused on centralizing arms under the Lebanese state.

Hezbollah insisted it is only concerned with implementing UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanese territory and a cessation of hostilities.

Aoun reiterated Lebanon’s demand for Israel to adhere to the ceasefire agreement and withdraw from the remaining five occupied hills in the south, noting that full army deployment remains hindered in areas still under Israeli control.

During his visit to Beirut this week, Barrack pushed for a “monopoly of arms” by the Lebanese state, declaring that the US will only support Lebanon if its government commits to ensuring that only official forces carry weapons.

In a statement, he reinforced that Hezbollah, in its entirety, is viewed by Washington as a foreign terrorist organization, with no distinction between its political and military wings.

He added that the responsibility now lies with Lebanon’s political leadership and army to seize this opportunity and build a future free of Hezbollah’s grip.

Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamadeh dismissed the American initiative, affirming that the group is aligned with the stance of parliament and ally Speaker Nabih Berri and will only engage within the framework of Resolution 1701.

He acknowledged a general agreement on the principle of state monopoly over arms, but argued that this must be accompanied by a comprehensive national defense strategy, especially in light of ongoing Israeli attacks.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have intensified, targeting South Lebanon throughout the week. On Friday, an Israeli drone strike killed a Hezbollah member in Bint Jbeil, while other raids reportedly hit weapons depots and rocket launch sites. Tensions escalated further when an Israeli soldier shot a Lebanese civilian near the border.

In response to repeated attacks, residents of the border town Aita al-Shaab issued a strongly worded statement condemning the government’s inaction and warning that they may resort to self-defense.

“Security is not a luxury; it is our right,” the statement read.