According to Lebanon’s Al Akbar newspaper, a minister’s source revealed that the Lebanese forces had prepared a secret plan to disarm Hezbollah and integrate the weapons alone with state authorities.
The plan, which sets five phases but does not have a fixed timeline, begins with the deployment of a full army south of the Ritani River, expands into the area between the Ritani and Awari Rivers, moves to Beirut and its suburbs, then moves to Bekaa Valley. The fifth stage is the monopoly on the arms of the government across Lebanon.
Sources said the plan explains the Army’s operational capabilities, obstacles and challenges. The Army independently determines how it operates in each region and how it will submit monthly performance reports to the government.
The terms of the proposal are the deployment of the national army on the halt of Israeli invasion and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the occupied territories.
The plan also calls for the strengthening of military presence and checkpoints to block the movement of weapons and smuggling, the closure of the Lebanon-Syrian border and closure of illegal crossings, in addition to completing disarmament of Palestinian refugee camps.
The Army framework eased political divisions, according to the report. Several sources said the issued statement was drafted by Army Commander Joseph Orn and Speakernavi Beli. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam also approved this.
MNA/6580932