Lebanese Cleric Rebukes Arab States for Backing U.S.-Led Disarmament of Resistance
Sheikh Maher Hammoud condemns regional governments for endorsing what he calls an American strategy to disarm Lebanon’s resistance movement amid mounting public protests.
Lebanon, PUREWILAYAH.COM - A senior Lebanese religious scholar has sharply criticised Arab states in West Asia for supporting the Lebanese government’s effort to implement a U.S.-sponsored plan to disarm the country’s resistance forces.
Sheikh Maher Hammoud, a prominent Sunni cleric and leader of the World Resistance Scholars Union, issued the remarks—as reported by various grassroots activists and resistance media—on Monday. He asserted:
“The Arab armies should hand over their weapons to the Islamic Resistance. Weapons should not be handed over to governments that are slaves of America.”
Sheikh Hammoud’s comments were directed at Arab governments backing a U.S.-drafted initiative which the Lebanese government approved earlier this month. On August 7, 2025, Lebanon’s Cabinet endorsed the “objectives” of the disarmament plan, and three days later announced a timeline aimed at bringing all weapons under state control by the end of 2025.
The announcement triggered widespread protests across Lebanon. Demonstrators maintained that Hezbollah’s armed strength remains essential to safeguarding national sovereignty and protecting the country from external threats.
Hezbollah, deeply rooted in Lebanon’s resistance narrative since the early 1980s, emphasised that it will retain its weapons to defend Lebanon. The group also warned that the U.S. proposal fails to ensure Israel’s withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory.
As Lebanon now faces mounting internal pressure, Sheikh Hammoud’s condemnation of Arab state support for the U.S. proposal amplifies growing skepticism about foreign-driven security policies and raises questions regarding the future of regional alignments. (PW)
Source: ABNA