Lebanon avoids foreign armed groups under state control

Lebanon asserts sovereignty over arms while facing Iran backed opposition to disarmament and a US backed roadmap.

Openly defying Iran Lebanon's Aoun says no armed groups allowed in country

Lebanon's president Joseph Aoun told a senior Iranian official in Beirut that no group in the country may bear arms or rely on foreign backing. The meeting with Ali Larijani followed the cabinet's approval of a US backed plan to disarm the Iran aligned Hezbollah, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701. Aoun warned against foreign interference and said any friendship with Iran must involve all Lebanese, not just one faction.

Larijani pledged continued support for Lebanon while signaling Tehran's opposition to disarmament and a preference to keep influence intact. The wider backdrop includes Hezbollah's shrinking grip since the Israel Gaza conflict intensified and a government move to establish a state monopoly on arms, challenging the group’s role in political life. The discussion underscores a broader regional struggle over security arrangements and foreign backing inside Lebanon.

The visit exposes a core tension between sovereignty and regional influence. Lebanon seeks to assert control over arms through state institutions, while Iran and Hezbollah push back against disarmament and push for continued influence. The United States backed roadmap aims to reduce Iran's footprint in Lebanon but risks inflaming domestic factions and provoking a backlash from Hezbollah allies.

The risk is high. If Beirut cannot curb external influence while maintaining stability, the country could see renewed tensions or political paralysis. The disarmament plan tests Lebanon's capacity to balance regional pressure with a fragile coalition and a still volatile security landscape in the region.

Highlights

Sovereignty in a fragile security map is a test for Lebanon