Hezbollah MP says group is ready ‘for dialogue’ with government over its arsenal

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah says the Iran-aligned terror group is ready to enter talks with the Lebanese government on a national defense strategy, with the focus on ensuring the removal of Israeli troops from Lebanon’s territory.

The comments come after a senior Hezbollah official told Reuters yesterday that “Hezbollah is ready to discuss the matter of its arms if Israel withdraws from the five points, and halts its aggression against Lebanese.”

US-backed President Joseph Aoun, who pledged to establish a state monopoly on the control of arms when he took office in January, is set to start talks with Hezbollah about its weapons arsenal, three Lebanese political sources tell Reuters.

In a televised speech, Fadlallah says: “We have expressed our readiness for dialogue to find a defense strategy for Lebanon.”

He says any meaningful discussions should focus on confronting Israeli “aggressions” and removing Israeli forces from southern Lebanon.

“We are in constant contact with President Aoun. When he calls for dialogue and sets national foundations for it, we are ready,” he adds.

Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah ended with a November 2024 ceasefire that resulted in the withdrawal of Israeli troops, except for in five key positions near the border. Israel says it intends to hand the posts over to Lebanese troops once it is sure the security situation allowed.