Lebanon's Cabinet has approved the main points of a United States-backed plan to end the armed presence of groups across the country, including the disarmament of Hezbollah. The decision, which also involves deploying the Lebanese Army to border areas and starting indirect talks with Israel over land borders, led to a walkout by ministers aligned with Hezbollah and Amal in protest. Despite the walkout, the Cabinet tasked the army with drafting a plan to centralize all weapons under state control, with a deadline for submission by August 31. Hezbollah has strongly criticized the move, warning of further escalation if the proposal is implemented, and insists that Israeli withdrawal and an end to strikes are necessary before any discussion of its weapons can begin.