Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has outlined three conditions for the possible disarmament of Hezbollah, saying the process must begin with an end to Israel’s occupation of areas in southern Lebanon.
According to a statement issued by the Lebanese presidency on Wednesday, Aoun made the remarks during a dinner hosted by Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Mouawad, in honour of the president and his delegation. The event was attended by members of the US Congress and officials from the US administration.
The dinner took place on Tuesday evening, the final day of Aoun’s official visit to Washington, where he met US President Donald Trump.
Aoun said Hezbollah could be disarmed if three conditions were met: an end to the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, the Lebanese Army assuming full control across the country, and the implementation of a state-managed reconstruction programme.
“Hezbollah can be disarmed if we are honest about what it truly requires: ending the occupation, the army assuming full control, and a reconstruction program managed solely by the state,” Aoun said.
He described Hezbollah as a movement composed of Lebanese citizens who have been shaped over four decades by ideological, social and military structures operating outside state authority, rather than as a foreign mercenary force.
“This reality does not make the goal less urgent, but it makes the method more important,” Aoun added.