BEIRUT: A group of 31 reformist, independent, and opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) in Lebanon have voiced their apprehension over a recent military maneuver conducted by Hezbollah in the southern town of Aaramta.
In a statement, the MPs expressed concerns that the maneuver, which they considered a recurring practice of the militia, undermines the concept of the state and challenges the will of the Lebanese citizens.
The MPs highlighted that Hezbollah’s actions, as demonstrated by the maneuver, suggest that the militia considers its own sovereignty to supersede that of the state. They argued that this implies that no decision in Lebanon can contradict the will of Hezbollah or its alignment with regional allies, running counter to the Arab Summit declaration in Jeddah.
According to the MPs, the lives and future of the Lebanese people are being held hostage by Hezbollah’s project. They emphasized that the militia cannot impose its political, military, security, and economic agendas on the Lebanese state, regardless of the extent to which it undermines the foundations of the state’s existence.
To address the issue, the MPs called for an immediate end to Hezbollah’s armed status through the implementation of the Taif Agreement and the derived constitution, which called for the dissolution of militias. They also emphasized the importance of adhering to UN resolutions 1559 and 1701, which would put an end to Hezbollah’s military and security interventions abroad while refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of Arab countries.
In addition to disarming Hezbollah, the MPs demanded the dismantling of the militia’s parallel economy, which they claimed was built through smuggling activities via legal and illegal crossings, tax evasion, and corruption facilitation.
The MPs stressed that Hezbollah should engage in political activities within the framework of the constitution, Lebanese laws, democracy, and respect for public freedoms, similar to other Lebanese parties.
Hezbollah’s Hold in Parliament
Hezbollah, which holds a bloc of 13 MPs in the Lebanese parliament and enjoys allies among other parliamentary blocs, including Speaker Nabih Berri’s bloc consisting of 15 MPs, continues to assert its commitment to the “equation of the army, the people, and the resistance,” as stated by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah in a televised speech. Nasrallah responded to threats from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, asserting that it is Hezbollah that poses a threat.
The repercussions of Hezbollah’s military maneuver were felt in the Lebanese military court trial of retired officer George Nader and retired soldier Youssef Al-Fleiti, who were charged with wearing army uniforms during protests by retired military personnel. Nader criticized the prosecution’s claim, highlighting the contrasting reaction to individuals wearing uniforms closely resembling Lebanese military attire, referring to Hezbollah members.
Brig. Gen. Khalil Jabr, the president of the military court, dismissed the charges against Nader and Al-Fleiti, citing a lack of criminal intent and emphasizing their contributions to the military establishment.
Meanwhile, caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar opposed the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ request to provide assistance to registered Syrian refugees in US dollars instead of the Lebanese national currency. Hajjar advocated for cash assistance to be distributed in Syria to encourage refugees to return home, highlighting the minimal support received by the Lebanese population.
Amid ongoing discussions on the return of Syrian refugees, Hezbollah and its allies maintain the need for coordination with Syrian authorities. Nasrallah suggested high-level government delegation engagement in substantive discussions with Syria. Brig. Gen. Elias Al-Baysari, acting general director of general security, met with Nasri Khoury, secretary-general of the Lebanese-Syrian Supreme Council, to discuss the issue.
