Lebanon’s army to prepare plan for state arms monopoly by year-end, premier says

By Wassim Seifeddine and Mohammad Sio

BEIRUT / ISTANBUL (AA) – The Lebanese Cabinet has authorized the army to prepare a plan to consolidate weapons under state control by the end of this year, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday evening.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet session chaired by President Joseph Aoun to discuss the disarmament of non-state groups, primarily Hezbollah.

Speaking at a press conference following the session, Salam said the Cabinet also agreed to continue discussions on a US proposal for arms control during a government meeting scheduled for Aug. 7.