Lebanon’s Cabinet will hold two service-focused meetings on Wednesday before beginning a two-week summer recess, returning at the end of August to take up the contentious “exclusive arms” plan now being drafted by the army. The proposal, which aims to restrict the possession of weapons to state institutions, is expected to be implemented by year’s end.
A ministerial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Wednesday’s sessions will be confined to approving public service items to avoid political confrontation over the arms issue, a matter dividing the Cabinet.
While most ministers support the plan, the Shiite political duo – represented by Amal Movement and Hezbollah - remains opposed, citing the absence of binding guarantees that would compel Israel to withdraw from five strategic points in South Lebanon.
The Cabinet will resume its regular meetings once the army finalizes the plan.
President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam are expected to quietly seek a compromise to break a reported “impasse” over the matter.
However, top-level dialogue has been on hold since Shiite ministers walked out of the last meeting before the government could discuss US mediator Tom Barrack’s proposals for implementing weapons exclusivity and the presidency’s response.
Barrack was scheduled to visit Beirut this week for a fourth round of talks but postponed his trip indefinitely. Officials expect his return to coincide with the army’s completion of the plan.
The source commended Berri for urging his Amal Movement supporters to avoid Hezbollah-sponsored marches and to prevent gatherings from spilling into Beirut, in order to avert sectarian tensions - particularly between Sunnis and Shiites - that could threaten Lebanon’s fragile coexistence.
At the same time, the source stressed that the government will not tolerate Iranian interference in domestic affairs, particularly Tehran’s calls for Hezbollah to retain its weapons.
Foreign Minister Youssef Raji has been tasked with answering recent Iranian statements, which officials say are being coordinated by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Berri’s position, while cautious, is viewed as more flexible than Hezbollah’s, leaving open the possibility of an understanding, provided Hezbollah maintains his mandate on the issue.
Iran’s involvement has provoked criticism both at home and abroad. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, accused of leading the recent campaign against the government, is said to have backtracked on a pledge made during his last visit to Beirut not to meddle in Lebanon’s internal politics.
Analysts warn that Tehran appears unwilling to recognize shifting regional dynamics, raising fears it seeks to keep Lebanon within its political sphere.
Diplomatic efforts now hinge on upcoming presidential-level meetings aimed at persuading the US mediator to amend parts of his proposal, securing American guarantees that could address not only Hezbollah’s concerns but also those of the wider Lebanese public.
