Naim Qassem said the issue could be discussed within Lebanon’s constitutional framework but rejected outside pressure. He also said the group would make no concessions in return for an Israeli withdrawal.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said the group was prepared to discuss Lebanese domestic issues, including state control over weapons, within the constitution and laws. He rejected what he called American and other foreign guardianship or diktats.
Qassem also named the economy, employment, coexistence among communities and depositors’ funds as possible subjects for internal dialogue, Al Jazeera reported. He did not set out a mechanism or timetable for discussing the weapons issue.
On Israel, Qassem said Hezbollah would make no concessions in exchange for Israeli forces leaving Lebanese territory. He said the group’s resistance would continue as long as Israeli attacks persisted.
The weapons debate is tied to the Lebanese government’s plan to place arms under state authority and task the army with implementing it. Hezbollah says any discussion must take place domestically and links it to an Israeli withdrawal and compliance with the November 2024 ceasefire. Israeli forces remain in some areas of southern Lebanon, while both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the truce.