Aoun: Decision of removing arms to be implemented across Lebanon but priority for South

President Joseph Aoun has stressed that “the decision of removing arms will be implemented across Lebanon but the priority is for the South.”

“We’re in agreement with Speaker (Nabih) Berri over the issue of Hezbollah’s arms,” Aoun added, in an interview with Sky News Arabia broadcast as he departed to the UAE on an official visit.

“The decision has been taken as to limiting weapons (to the hands of the state) and only implementation on the ground remains,” the president said, adding that “what’s important is the handover of heavy- and medium-caliber weapons, whereas light-caliber weapons are a culture for the Lebanese.”

Noting that the army is “performing its duties without any objections or problems,” Aoun dismissed as baseless the reports that claimed that Hezbollah had refused the army’s entry into a Dahieh site to search it.

Calling for opening “the file of arms inside Palestinian camps,” the president stressed that “it is necessary to build the army’s capabilities,” adding that “the most important weapon is the unified stance behind the army.”