Lebanon enters new phase of disarming non-state groups

January 9, 2026 9:49 AM

Lebanon enters new phase of disarming non-state groups

Lebanon’s military says it has completed the first phase of a government plan to fully deploy across southern Lebanon and disarm non-state armed groups, a move that directly impacts Hezbollah’s long-standing presence in the border region. The announcement comes as President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam prepare to review the next steps of the programme, which has been a priority since they took office after the Washington-brokered ceasefire that ended the 2024 conflict between H...

Lebanon’s army chief elected president, showing weakened Hezbollah

January 10, 2025 11:20 AM

Lebanon’s army chief elected president, showing weakened Hezbollah

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has U.S. support and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel. In a speech to the chamber, Aoun, 60, vowed to work to ensure the state has the exclusive right to carry arms, drawing loud applause as lawmakers from Hezbollah -- which runs its own military forces -- sat still. He promised to rebuild south Leb...