Lebanon: 5 Ministers Quit Cabinet Session in Protest at Weapons Monopoly Plan
Ministers protest agenda item on state’s exclusive control over arms, calling it an unconstitutional move targeting the Resistance.
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Four ministers representing Hezbollah and Amal, along with independent Minister Fadi Makki, withdrew from the Lebanese Cabinet session on Friday, later leaving the Baabda Presidential Palace entirely.
The walkout was in protest against an agenda item discussing the army’s plan for the state to exercise exclusive authority over weapons.
Initially, the ministers exited the session to an adjacent room before deciding to leave the premises altogether. The session, chaired by the Lebanese Prime Minister, also addressed environmental, financial, and energy matters.
Army Commander’s Presentation Sparks Walkout
The meeting began with Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal presenting the army’s proposed implementation plan.
This triggered the withdrawal, as the ministers had already declared they would refuse to discuss what they considered an “executive tool for an unconstitutional government decision.”
This follows an earlier session on August 5, during which Prime Minister Nawaf Salam tasked the army with preparing the plan by the end of last month — a session that also saw Hezbollah and Amal ministers staging a walkout.
Raad: Disarmament Means Surrendering Honor
On August 8, MP Mohammad Raad, head of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc, rejected calls to disarm the Resistance, describing them as part of a US and Israeli agenda.
“The presence of the Resistance is what truly disturbs them,” Raad said, warning that such a decision would shift the confrontation with “Israel” into an internal Lebanese crisis.
He emphasized that Lebanon cannot face “Israel” alone and credited the Resistance’s weapons with protecting the country since 1982, liberating occupied land, and establishing a deterrence balance.
“To say ‘hand over your arms’ is to say ‘hand over your honor,’” Raad declared. “Handing over our arms is suicide, and we will not commit suicide. Ask the army if they would give up their arms — which is their honor — and invite the world to betray them.” (PW)
Source: Al-Mayadeen