Hezbollah's Qmati calls for unity amid pressure for disarmament

by Naharnet Newsdesk 25 July 2025, 13:57

Hezbollah political bureau member Mahmoud Qmati called Friday for unity in Lebanon amid ongoing domestic and international pressure for Hezbollah to disarm after a bruising war with Israel.

"We are ready for dialogue about a defense strategy," Qmati said, adding that only national unity could help Lebanon and warning that divisions among the Lebanese people would only serve Israel.

"Our call today is clear: We must unite for Lebanon. If we give up our strength and our weapons, that would be the end of Lebanon."

Qmati said that Lebanon is in danger, "in the eye of the storm", and is facing existential threats from all directions - east, west, north, and south. He cited French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack's statements that Lebanon could become a part of Israel or Syria. "That is why we must all be united around the Lebanese army to defend the nation, its entity, dignity, sovereignty, and the unique Lebanese formula in this region."

Qmati said that Hezbollah can fight alongside the Lebanese army and that the monopoly of arms is to protect Lebanon domestically against destructive weapons and mafias that do not defend or serve Lebanon and not against those "who are resisting an external enemy."

"The resistance was created to protect the country," Qmati said, "and we will not accept describing it as Lebanon's problem."

Source: Naharnet

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