President Aoun Asserts Lebanon Seeks to Avoid War

Beirut (Eurotoday) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun affirmed that Lebanon does not desire war and emphasized the importance of initiating discussions about Hezbollah’s disarmament “through calm and responsible communication with the concerned parties.”

Aoun reiterated that the Lebanese military is the only legitimate authority responsible for maintaining Lebanon’s sovereignty.

“We will implement the arms embargo, but we are awaiting the circumstances to determine how it will be implemented,”

he stated.

A few days prior, Aoun announced his intention to disarm Hezbollah by the end of the year and open a path for its members to integrate into the Lebanese army.

Can Aoun disarm Hezbollah without sparking civil unrest?

President Aoun voiced optimism that Hezbollah—heavily backed by Iran—could be disarmed in the near future, especially following an Israeli military offensive that rendered the group significantly weakened and leaderless.

“We hope that Hezbollah’s weapons will be withdrawn or that their possession will be restricted to the state in 2025, and this is what I am striving for,”

the U.S.-backed president told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed in a recent interview.

“As for Hezbollah members, they are ultimately Lebanese, and if they want to join the army, they can undergo so-called absorption courses,”

Aoun explained, adding that Hezbollah would not function as an autonomous unit within the military structure.

Will Hezbollah agree to lay down its weapons?

According to analysts, while Hezbollah has long insisted on retaining its arms, recent setbacks at the hands of Israel, coupled with continuing domestic and international pressure, could shift the balance and make disarmament a more achievable goal.

Before its clash with Israel last year, Hezbollah was regarded as the most powerful non-state armed actor in the Middle East, armed with tens of thousands of missiles and a disciplined military force.

Aoun acknowledged that the government has yet to open formal negotiations with Hezbollah concerning its disarmament. However, he noted that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri—a Shiite leader with close ties to Hezbollah—“is in full agreement” on the principle that the state should retain sole authority over weapons. Berri acted as a key mediator in ceasefire talks between Hezbollah and the United States last year.

Despite mounting pressure from the U.S. and Israel for a swift resolution, some experts believe Aoun is treading cautiously due to Lebanon’s delicate political and security landscape.

“Aoun stated his intention to establish a state monopoly on arms this year, although he did not firmly commit