Lebanon’s parliament ratifies Arms Trade Treaty, angering Hezbollah

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s parliament ratifies the international Arms Trade Treaty, angering Hezbollah legislators, some of whom walk out in protest.

The 2014 treaty seeks to regulate international trade in conventional arms and prevent illicit trade. Hezbollah legislator Ali Ammar walks out of the parliament Tuesday, saying it “infringes on the weapons of the resistance.”

Unlike other armed groups, Hezbollah was allowed to keep its weapons after Lebanon’s 15-year civil war ended in 1990 since it was fighting Israeli forces in parts of southern Lebanon.

Hezbollah today has a massive arsenal including tens of thousands of rockets and missiles. The group sent thousands of its fighters to Syria to fight along President Bashar Assad’s forces.

Prime Minister designate Saad Hariri says after the treaty was approved that it has nothing to do with Hezbollah’s weapons.

— AP