New Lebanon gov’t reaches compromise on Hizbollah arms

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s new cross-party government, formed last month, adopted a political programme Saturday after reaching a compromise over the thorny question of the arsenal of Hizbollah, one of the coalition’s members.

The Shiite movement, known as the “resistance” because of its opposition to Israel, never disarmed after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war ended in 1990, and its military power rivals that of the army.

The group sent its fighters into neighbouring Syria last year to support Bashar Assad, fuelling tensions in multi-confessional Lebanon, where many support the Sunni-led rebellion against the Syrian president.

Hizbollah insists its arms are necessary for protecting Lebanon from Israel, but detractors argue that its arsenal allows it to impose its will on the country.

Hizbollah had refused demands by the March 14 bloc of former premier Saad Hariri, a coalition partner, that its military operations be under state supervision.

At a meeting that began late Friday, the parties agreed on a compromise. Unlike in previous programmes, the text does not explicitly confer on Hizbollah a role of resisting Israel but still acknowledges the right to resort to arms outside the authority of the state.

“Based on the responsibility of the state to preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty and its independence [and] territorial integrity... the government affirms the role of the state and its quest to liberate” territory held by Israel “with all legitimate means”, it reads.

But the text also affirms the “right of Lebanese citizens to resist the Israeli occupation, repel its attacks and take back the occupied territory”.

Prime Minister Tammam Salam unveiled the country’s compromise government on February 15, capping 10 months of political wrangling and bringing together Hizbollah and Hariri’s bloc.

Syria’s three-year conflict has left Lebanon bitterly polarised, and the violence has seeped across the border in a series of bombings and other attacks.

Lebanon is also struggling under the weight of nearly one million Syrian refugees, who are straining its already limited resources.