Foreign Ministry for Lebanon in One Voice: Confine Weapons South and North of the Litani

A high-ranking political source affirmed that the external stance toward Beirut is clear: restricting weapons to the state requires actual implementation, with no distinction made between the south and north of the Litani River. The source considered that Lebanon faces an opportunity to take control of its affairs if Lebanese people are convinced that they can change their reality and prevent their country from remaining hostage to a dangerous equation of waiting for a US-Iranian settlement on the weapons file, the alternative to which is further strikes that Israel is preparing for.

The high-ranking source, speaking to Al-Rai, argued that breaking this equation requires removing the weapons file from the cycle of appeasement, which the international community interprets as hesitation and evasion of commitments, and moving away from the language of “filling the voids,” which leaves ambiguity among the local public as well as Arab and international communities regarding the geography of weapons restriction. He noted that all of Lebanon’s friends have now converged on the view that the entry point for any support to the country, at any level, begins with the implementation of weapons restriction across all Lebanese territories. Thus, this file is no longer just a brake on any Israeli military plans, but the “button” to launch a recovery, reconstruction, and revitalization workshop driven by external leverage.

While pausing at the “downing of a drone launched from Boudai (in the Bekaa) a few days ago on the road to Shleifa town and the Lebanese Army’s destruction of it,” the source considered that “there are questions about who is behind it, where it was heading, and what its objective was.” He pointed out that this type of event requires greater clarity, reflecting a change in how matters concerning weapons outside legality are managed.

The same source sees indications of a Lebanese attempt to push forward the tripartite “Framework Agreement” between Beirut, Tel Aviv, and Washington, by reaching a timeline for Israeli withdrawal from the south in exchange for beginning to translate decisions previously taken by the government of President Nawaf Salam regarding weapons restriction across all Lebanese territories, for which a phased plan was approved. This means reviving the “Lebanese Framework” for disarming, not in the context of linking it to Israeli demands or withdrawal, but rather as the enforcement of resolutions whose implementation has been delayed not only since 2025 but which even form part of the Taif Agreement (1989).

While noting that Israel considers it is restricting weapons within the areas it occupies through clearing, burning, and bombing operations, the source pointed out that the real factor capable of moving the withdrawal process and providing the United States, which plays a major role in restraining Tel Aviv, with a valuable pressure card against Benjamin Netanyahu lies in the state’s translation of its own decisions regarding the removal of weapons and placing everyone before their responsibilities.

He considers that what is now at stake is the fate of all Lebanese, given Israel’s display of serious intentions to launch new incursions toward Mount al-Rayhan and the Apple Region, without being able to determine where it might stop. He also highlighted the danger of waiting for diplomatic outcomes from the Iran front, as Tel Aviv, if it senses that a settlement (however difficult to achieve) has become possible, may be reinforced in its greed to complete its mission against strategic points in southern Lebanon and perhaps deeper. Meanwhile, any new explosion on this front would place the “Cedar Country” in the eye of a new storm of blood and destruction that no one can bear, potentially shattering the minimum safety net provided by direct negotiations on the geographic restriction of fire.

A senior source emphasized the “record speed” with which the US State Department entered the fray to deny reports that Iran had transferred $200 million to Hezbollah last month to assist displaced persons affected by the war. He noted that this response reflects the close US interest in the Lebanese situation, based on premises that require no clarification regarding the monopoly of arms and the termination of Hezbollah’s status outside the state framework at all levels.

Earlier, the US State Department declared that “Hezbollah’s claims of receiving millions of dollars from Iran are false and baseless allegations, and talk of sending funds from Iran to the group is a fabricated story.” It affirmed, “We continue to financially strangle the group through sanctions and will continue to support the Lebanese government in reconstructing the south.” It added, “Hezbollah has brought misery to Lebanon and its people by waging a war on behalf of Iran. Even if it receives Iranian support, it is insufficient, and it will not be able to rebuild its terrorist infrastructure.” It concluded, “Hezbollah will never recover under the administration of President Donald Trump.”

It was no coincidence that Hezbollah, through its parliamentary bloc, indirectly hinted at receiving these funds. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group stressed, “Hezbollah’s position will remain steadfast in supporting its people and providing them with assistance, and it continues to exert maximum effort in this regard. It has nearly implemented a new step to disburse shelter allowances for our displaced and evacuated citizens.”

Meanwhile, Beirut witnessed diplomatic activity accompanying the “Doha Declaration,” as Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khalifa, met on Thursday with French President’s envoy to Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who is currently visiting Qatar. The meeting covered bilateral cooperation relations and ways to support and strengthen them, as well as discussions on the latest developments in Lebanon and other issues of mutual interest.

In Beirut, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, announced that “the Union has completed planning for a new mission to provide training and advice to the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, following an official invitation from Lebanese authorities.” She clarified that she expects EU foreign ministers to formally approve the establishment of the mission on Monday, October 12.

Kallas emphasized that “the mission aims to enhance the authority of the Lebanese Army and security forces over Lebanese territory, border security, and internal security, in line with Resolution 1701.” She stressed that it would not replace UNIFIL, whose mandate ends at the end of the year, and would not be limited to the south. She noted that “the future of the UN presence in the south is under discussion, and the EU is ready to work with Lebanon, the United Nations, and Security Council members on the next phase,” while warning against any security vacuum following UNIFIL’s departure.

Kallas told Agence France-Presse that “EU member states support extending UNIFIL’s mandate because a security vacuum in southern Lebanon cannot be allowed; thus, everyone is concerned about the end of this force’s mission.”

High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, began the second and final day of her visit to Beirut with a meeting with President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun. Aoun informed her that “Lebanon looks forward to signing a strategic partnership with the European Union, especially since it is a key partner for the Union in the region.” He thanked her for “the initiative taken with the European Council to approve the deployment of a civilian-military mission to Lebanon within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), with the mission of providing advice, training, and equipment.” He also expressed appreciation for the European Union’s efforts to prevent a vacuum in the post-UNIFIL phase, emphasizing that he “relies on EU support to find an alternative arrangement, noting that discussions are ongoing to reach such a solution, and that Lebanon desires any force to operate under the UN flag.”

Aoun pointed out that “the Lebanese Army is fully carrying out its duties in areas south of the Litani River where it has been deployed, in implementation of the ‘Framework Agreement,’ which Israel continues to refuse to implement, while persisting in its attacks on southern towns and villages.” He stated, “Lebanon is working with the agreement’s sponsor, the United States, and friendly countries to pressure Israel to implement the Framework Agreement.”

During her visit to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, he reiterated his warning about “the dangers of reaching the end of UNIFIL’s mandate without finding a replacement under the UN umbrella.” He noted that “reaching such a stage constitutes a targeting of international legitimacy and UN resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701, and it also negatively impacts the European Union and its role.”

As for President Najib Mikati, he assured Kallas of “the importance of proceeding with the implementation of the Triangular Framework according to the principles of reciprocity and gradualism, with a clear timeline and a mechanism to verify the implementation of commitments.” He also stressed “the importance of having an international force after the end of UNIFIL’s mandate, and the importance of continued international support for the Lebanese Army, enabling it to extend state authority over its entire territory, ensure stability, and facilitate the return of residents.”

In a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Youssef Raji, Kallas emphasized “the European Union’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability in the region, and the importance of the Lebanese state being the sole entity responsible for security and stability on its territory.”

On the financial front, she noted that “the European Union announced in September assistance worth 505 million euros until 2027, completing the 1 billion euro package announced in 2024, which is allocated for economic recovery, security, border management, and essential services. Support provided to the Army through the European Peace Facility has reached 182 million euros since 2022.”

Raji, for his part, affirmed that “Lebanon has made a clear sovereign decision to restrict weapons and the use of force to the state alone across its entire territory. We rely on the continued support of the European Union alongside Lebanon and its legitimate institutions to achieve this national goal. We also rely on its support to end the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories and ensure the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”

Kallas’s visit was accompanied by US Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma, who held meetings with senior officials. President Aoun informed him that “Israel continues its operations in southern villages and towns from which it has not withdrawn,” considering this a violation of the content of the “Framework Agreement” signed between Lebanon and Israel under US sponsorship.

Lankford stressed that “the people of the South look forward to the extension of state authority and the deployment of the army up to the recognized borders.” He affirmed that “the Army is carrying out its assigned tasks in the South as well as in other parts of Lebanon, and it needs support by securing the necessary equipment and machinery to enhance its capacity to perform its duties.”