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Beirut promise to disarm Hezbollah ‘only ink on paper,’ Lebanese Hezbollah expert says - interview

From Jerusalem Post · (5m ago) English Critical tone

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A Lebanese Hezbollah expert states that the Lebanese government's recent legislation to disarm Hezbollah is merely symbolic and not genuinely enforced.
  • The expert, Hanin Ghaddar, highlights Hezbollah's deep entrenchment within the Lebanese military and government, noting that Hezbollah influenced a military court's decision to release members under new arms laws.
  • Ghaddar explains that Lebanese authorities are reluctant to confront Hezbollah due to lingering fears from the civil war, creating a stalemate where sovereignty is not asserted to avoid potential conflict.

The Jerusalem Post, in its coverage of Middle Eastern affairs, presents a critical view of Lebanon's ability to control the powerful Hezbollah militia. Expert Hanin Ghaddar, whose own experience with the Lebanese judiciary underscores the challenges faced by those critical of Hezbollah, argues that Beirut's recent legislative actions are superficial.

The Lebanese government is not serious about disarming Hezbollah, despite its recent legislation, Hezbollah expert Hanin Ghaddar told The Jerusalem Post on Monday night.

— Hanin GhaddarIntroducing the main argument of the article regarding Lebanon's enforcement of new laws against Hezbollah.

Ghaddar's assessment, drawn from her deep understanding of the intricate ties between Hezbollah and the Lebanese state, suggests that the government's purported efforts to disarm the group are undermined by Hezbollah's pervasive influence. The fact that individuals detained under the new arms laws were released on minimal bail, as reported, speaks volumes about the group's continued sway.

We all know that this did not happen because the military court wanted it to happen. It happened because Hezbollah was behind it.

— Hanin GhaddarExplaining the influence of Hezbollah on judicial decisions within Lebanon.

Furthermore, the article touches upon the historical context of Lebanon's civil war, suggesting that the lingering trauma and fear of renewed internal conflict paralyze the government's will to act decisively. This reluctance to 'rock the boat,' even at the expense of national sovereignty and security, is a key factor in why Hezbollah remains largely unchecked. From our perspective at The Jerusalem Post, this situation highlights the ongoing struggle for control within Lebanon and the broader regional implications of Hezbollah's military capabilities.

The same military courts that sentenced Ghaddar allowed multiple Hezbollah terrorists out on bail for the symbolic price of $21 for breaching Lebanon’s new arms laws.

— Danielle Greyman-KennardHighlighting the perceived leniency and inconsistency in the enforcement of Lebanon's new arms laws against Hezbollah members.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.