Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, welcomed the Lebanese government’s decision to adopt a practical plan to implement the resolution restricting arms to state authorities as the means of ensuring Lebanon’s stability.
The Secretary-General added that the exclusive possession of weapons by the state is a fundamental principle of sovereignty that must not be ignored or violated under any pretext. He stressed that the Lebanese government’s decision to grant a time frame for the army to implement this on the ground should be met with cooperation and support from all Lebanese who are committed to Lebanon’s sovereignty and the independence of its decision-making.
At the same time, Mr. Aboul Gheit underscored the need for influential forces in the international community to pressure Israel to end its occupation of Lebanese territory and cease bombing targets inside Lebanon, noting that the accurate and comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached last November is the guarantor of restoring peace throughout Lebanon.
