BEIRUT — On the eve of Tuesday’s minister’s referendum on the weapons of resistance, Lebanon appears to be reconsidering the events of May 5, 2008.
The provocative decision forced the resistance to use its power against the mercenaries of Saudi Arabia and the US Embassy and their incitement projects. This was primarily aimed at creating a direct conflict between resistance and the Lebanese army.
It was allegedly a telecommunications network established by Hezbollah “is illegal and constitutes an attack on the state’s sovereignty and public funds.”
The Siniola government subsequently decided to launch “criminal prosecutions against all individuals, institutions, businesses, parties and entities responsible for expanding this network,” noting that it would be “the role of Iran in this regard.”
In 2020, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt acknowledged his responsibility to ignite the conflict through media, political and military channels.
Sources nearby President Joseph Own confirmed that he continues to emphasize the need for civil peace and dialogue, and that he believes Lebanon has the right to seek guarantees in exchange for disarming resistance.
Meanwhile, Israeli Finance Minister Bezarel Smotrich said “Israel troops will not withdraw from five points in southern Lebanon,” and said “northern residents will no longer see Hezbollah on the fence.”
During the so-called “strengthening of the North” Israeli Conference held in the occupied Palestinian territory in the north, Smotrich argued that the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon “gives Israel a full justification to weaken Hezbollah, which actually prevents it from rehabilitating itself at the border.”
He threatened, “The agreement also includes everything about Lebanon in the heart of Beirut’s southern suburbs. If necessary, we will destroy the buildings in the broad daytime. There is no safe zone.”
The Israeli minister said of the massive destruction caused by Israeli invasion that “Shia villages destroyed by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon will not be rebuilt.”
While President Aoun is keen to maintain internal stability, political sources have revealed that a meeting that brings together Jamblat, Lebanese military leader Samir Gigea and other political parties in power have decided to advance the government’s decision to disarm the resistance according to a specific timer to gain favors from Washington and Riyadh.
During his recent visit to Beirut, US envoy Thomas Barrack urged these parties to do “anything necessary to put pressure on Hezbollah” with the same goal of opposing the Lebanese army against resistance.
At the same time, anti-resistance media continues to leak information about the threat of Israeli escalation unless the government makes the decisive decision to disarm Hezbollah in relation to internal political instigation.
Sources told the Tehran Times that the Amal-Hezbollah Alliance could withdraw from the government if it acts to alienate popular bases. Sources say such a move will significantly erode government legitimacy, as it is seen as a betrayal of large constituencies, namely Shiite communities. The community is deeply concerned about the possibility of sectarian violence similar to the massacres seen in Syria.
Lebanon and the region are experiencing unacceptable and delicate circumstances, but Tuesday’s Cabinet session is not the only threat.