Lebanon's government has directed its army to devise a plan to establish exclusive state control over weapons, directly challenging the powerful armed group Hezbollah. This move comes amid heightened pressure from the United States and domestic rivals, as well as ongoing Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon. The United States has proposed a roadmap offering Israeli withdrawal from occupied points in exchange for Hezbollah's disarmament, but Hezbollah insists that Israeli actions must come first. The issue is complicated by Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system and Hezbollah's deep-rooted influence, raising fears of renewed civil strife if disarmament is forced. The army has until the end of August to present its plan, with further government discussions set to continue.

Original article source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/reuters/article-14976909/EXPLAINER-Can-Lebanon-disarm-Hezbollah.html
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