Lebanon: Protests in Beirut as Army Moves Closer to Resolving Arms Issue

Protests and marches in support of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement continued in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, rejecting the government’s decision to disarm the party. Crowds took to the streets to express their refusal to surrender weapons amid rising political and popular tensions.

According to local media reports, the Lebanese army’s plan to consolidate weapons under state control is nearly complete. The plan includes constructing watchtowers on the southern border, establishing military checkpoints in Baalbek-Hermel, and deploying forces in the five hills area still occupied by the Israeli army.

Following a cabinet session dedicated to discussing the disarmament file, Information Minister Paul Marquis announced that the council approved the terms of a U.S.-proposed agreement to disarm Hezbollah. According to the minister, the agreement entails a gradual elimination of armed presence alongside supporting the army and its deployment in the south.

#عاجل | وزير العدل اللبناني بعد انتهاء الجلسة الوزارية: الحكومة صدقت على الأهداف التي تنص عليها ورقة المبعوث الأميركي باراك.
وبدء الحراك الشعبي في الضاحية الجنوبية ضد الحكومة.
الرويس الآن وحواجز الجيش اللبناني تنتشر بين بيروت والضاحية. pic.twitter.com/Z5b3qXnYPE

— ياسر علي Yasser Ali 𓂆 🇵🇸 (@YasserAli) August 7, 2025

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack described the decision regarding Lebanon as ‘historic and bold,’ while diplomatic sources welcomed the move, anticipating that Lebanon will begin receiving direct economic support in the coming weeks.

Details of the U.S. agreement to stabilize the ceasefire… click here