Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has set 2025 as the target year for placing all weapons under the control of the State, but he firmly rejected the idea of replicating Iraq’s model of integrating paramilitary groups into state institutions.

“We will not replicate the Popular Mobilization Forces model by integrating Hezbollah into the army, nor will we create a separate unit for it within the army,” Aoun told The New Arab in an interview. “Hezbollah fighters can join the military and undergo integration training, just as members of other parties did at the end of the civil war.”

Aoun emphasized that the decision to place all weapons under State control has already been made, with the primary challenge now being its implementation.

“The question now is how to execute this, and I believe it should be addressed through direct dialogue between the Presidency and Hezbollah,” he said.

The Lebanese president also addressed mounting pressure from the United States for Lebanon to assert full control over the arms within its territory.

“The Americans are urging us to accelerate efforts to place all weapons under state control,” Aoun explained, “but I told them: if you want this to happen, pressure Israel [to withdraw from Lebanon] and leave the task of dealing with Hezbollah to us.”

He added that he had conveyed to U.S. envoy Morgan Ortagus that Israel’s continued presence in five disputed points on the Lebanese-Israeli border provides Hezbollah with a pretext for its armed presence.

“I also told her that while we want to disarm Hezbollah, we do not want to trigger a civil war in Lebanon,” Aoun said.

The president reassured that the Lebanese Army operates freely and without interference from Hezbollah in southern and northern parts of the Litani River and in the Bekaa Valley.

“We’ve approved the enlistment of around 4,500 troops to deploy to the south, and that number will eventually rise to 10,000,” Aoun confirmed.

Responding to criticism of his call for dialogue with Hezbollah on disarmament, Aoun posed a rhetorical question: “To those who criticize me for wanting to disarm Hezbollah through dialogue, I ask: what would you do if you were in my place?”

He pointed to shifting regional dynamics, including developments in Syria, Iran’s evolving stance on the Houthis, and Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, as factors that could help facilitate dialogue with Hezbollah.

“There is direct communication between the Lebanese Presidency and Hezbollah, and this is already translating into tangible results on the ground,” Aoun said.

When asked about Hezbollah’s behavior during recent tensions with Israel, Aoun praised the group’s restraint and responsibility.

“Hezbollah has demonstrated self-control and a great deal of awareness, acting responsibly by refraining from retaliating against Israeli violations,” he noted.

Aoun also revealed that Lebanese authorities have gathered fingerprint evidence of those responsible for launching rockets toward Israel.

“If these individuals turn out to be Lebanese nationals, we will know who they are,” he said.

Additionally, Aoun disclosed that he had requested the Emir of Qatar to continue supporting Lebanon, particularly in the areas of oil and military salaries. In response, the Qatari ruler assured him, “Consider it done.”

On the domestic front, Aoun expressed hope that Lebanon’s Parliament would not delay in passing critical reform legislation.

“We hope there will be no delays in approving reform laws in Parliament,” he said, emphasizing the urgent need for structural reforms.

In the realm of regional diplomacy, Aoun revealed that French President Emmanuel Macron had offered to assist Lebanon by providing French archival documents to help with the demarcation of Lebanon’s land borders with Syria. These documents are expected to support Lebanon’s claim to the disputed Shebaa Farms area.

Aoun also commented on his international travel plans, saying that while he hopes to visit Washington, the priority at present is to visit Arab countries.

“They are the closest to being able to help Lebanon,” he said.