Lebanon FM to summon Iranian envoy over comments on Hezbollah arms

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Youssef Raji will summon Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani within the next 24 hours following controversial remarks the envoy made about Hezbollah’s weapons, sources close to Raji told The New Arab.

The decision comes after an X post by Amani on Friday, in which he slammed efforts to disarm Hezbollah as a "trap" by "enemy states".

In his post, the ambassador wrote: "While the United States continues to supply the Zionist entity with the latest weapons and missiles, it prevents other nations from arming and strengthening their militaries, and pressures others to reduce or destroy their arsenals under various pretexts."

He warned that once countries give in to disarmament demands, they become vulnerable to invasion and occupation, citing Iraq, Libya, and Syria as examples.

"In the Islamic Republic of Iran, we understand the dangers of this conspiracy and its threat to the security of regional peoples," he added. "We warn others not to fall into the trap set by the enemies."

Amani stressed that "maintaining deterrent capabilities is the first line of defence for sovereignty and independence and must not be compromised".

His remarks followed a speech by Hezbollah Deputy Secretary-General Naim Qassem on Friday, in which he firmly rejected any discussion of disarming the group.

"This weapon is what gave our people life and freedom. It liberated our homeland and protected its sovereignty," he said. "We will confront anyone who attacks the resistance or works to disarm it - be it Israel, the US, or their proxies."

Amani’s comments also come amid growing internal and external pressure in Lebanon to place all weapons under state control.

State to reclaim monopoly on arms

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun last week told The New Arab he aims to make 2025 the year the state reclaims its monopoly on arms.

The United States has tied its financial aid and reconstruction support to the disarmament of Hezbollah. Domestically, the far-right Christian Lebanese Forces party, led by Samir Geagea and to which Foreign Minister Raji also belongs, has been pushing for a six-month timeline for the state to reclaim all weapons, rejecting dialogue-based approaches.

Raji has caused controversy on several occasions with statements critical of Hezbollah that echo Lebanese Forces rhetoric.

His positions have often diverged from those of President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who have prioritised the cessation of Israeli attacks, the liberation of the five remaining occupied Lebanese border points, and the release of all Lebanese prisoners in Israel.

Both leaders have affirmed Lebanon’s commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement. Raji, by contrast, has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of violating the agreement, drawing criticism for stepping outside the official government line.