Aoun Says Arms Monopoly Decision Final, Will Be Enforced Gradually

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reaffirmed that the state’s policy to maintain exclusive control over arms remains firm and non-negotiable. However, he emphasized that the policy will be enacted with measured care to ensure national cohesion and safeguard internal stability. Speaking during a meeting with senior editors from Bahrain’s official news agency and leading newspapers in Manama, Aoun addressed both internal reforms and regional developments affecting Lebanon’s security.

“The Lebanese state’s decision to monopolize weapons is irreversible,” he stated. “Yet, we will apply this decision patiently, in a way that maintains Lebanon’s unity and avoids any disruption to civil peace.”

Israel’s Non-Compliance with Ceasefire Agreement Cited

Turning to the ongoing conflict with Israel, Aoun criticized Tel Aviv for failing to uphold the terms of the November 26, 2024 ceasefire agreement. He accused Israel of continuing its military aggression despite international efforts to sustain a cessation of hostilities.

“Until now, Israel has not honored the agreement reached last November and continues its attacks on Lebanese territory,” Aoun noted. “This disregard for the ceasefire undermines international calls and efforts for peace.”

He further stressed the importance of having a reliable enforcement mechanism for any agreement involving both sides. “A solution cannot be effective without a party that ensures implementation,” Aoun said, adding that while Lebanon has complied with U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701—including deploying the Lebanese army to the southern Litani region—Israel has failed to meet its obligations under the same resolution.

A key sticking point, according to Aoun, is the continued Israeli military presence on five strategic hills along the border, which he said is obstructing the Lebanese army’s full deployment in the area.

National Sovereignty and Reform as Strategic Goals

Aoun concluded his remarks by underlining his administration’s resolve to uphold Lebanon’s sovereignty and reinforce the authority of the state. “Our decision to rescue the state is final,” he declared. “We will leave no stone unturned to achieve this goal.”

The statement highlights the dual challenge facing Lebanon’s leadership: asserting national sovereignty in the face of foreign aggression while managing delicate domestic dynamics, including the role of armed groups outside state control. The push to centralize military power in state hands is a long-standing issue in Lebanese politics, particularly given the influence of non-state actors like Hezbollah in the country’s southern regions.

Aoun’s balanced tone reflects a strategic approach that prioritizes gradual implementation and consensus-building—an effort to avoid destabilizing a country already grappling with economic turmoil and political fragmentation.