Aoun Calls for Disarmament Amid Hezbollah's Reluctance

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reiterated his call for the disarmament of the militant group Hezbollah, amid their persistent refusal to do so. Aoun's statements came during a speech on Army Day, pointing to heightened pressure from Washington for Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah's arsenal.

Aoun shared a proposal in response to US-provided draft ideas, suggesting an "immediate cessation of Israeli hostilities" and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, contingent upon the disarmament of all armed groups, including Hezbollah, with weapons handed over to the Lebanese Army.

Despite these calls, Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem maintains that their weapons are intrinsic to Lebanon's strength, asserting that disarming them equates to empowering Israel. The proposal also advocates for international donor support to strengthen the Lebanese Army and rebuild war-damaged regions, a year after the conflict nominally ended with a US-brokered ceasefire.

(With inputs from agencies.)