Lebanon’s Cabinet is expected to convene Tuesday afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Baabda to begin deliberations on a sensitive agenda item: the disarmament of all non-state actors, notably Hezbollah, and the assertion of state authority across Lebanese territory.

The first item on the table calls for restricting arms exclusively to the Lebanese state, a proposal that could include the adoption of a timeline to implement this mandate. The session is proceeding despite pressure from Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement, who reportedly tried to strike the disarmament clause from the agenda or at least relegate it to the end of the session.

According to political sources quoted by Nidaa al-Watan, if no consensus is reached, several factions intend to call for a vote on the timeline for disarmament. The vote would mark a significant step in efforts to confront Hezbollah’s arsenal, long considered a parallel source of power beyond state control.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, is accused of attempting to derail the session through indirect pressure tactics. On the eve of the meeting, an anonymous statement emerged from a group identifying itself as the “Bekaa Clans,” threatening street mobilizations in defense of the group’s weapons. The timing coincided conspicuously with the Cabinet’s scheduled debate.

The session follows the arrival of a formal U.S. response to Lebanon on Saturday. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam reportedly met with President Joseph Aoun on Monday to coordinate their positions ahead of the session and to discuss the American message.

According to Nidaa al-Watan, the U.S. communication urged Lebanon to establish a clear deadline for disarmament and to reassert state sovereignty over all of its territory. However, Washington did not provide any of the guarantees that Lebanon had reportedly requested during previous rounds of negotiations.

Sources familiar with the talks said the U.S. response fell short of Lebanese expectations, particularly regarding a phased approach to disarmament. Nevertheless, the meeting between Salam and Aoun was described as “highly significant,” both in timing and in substance, as Lebanon braces for what may be a pivotal Cabinet session.

Amid mounting political and security concerns, coordination intensified late Monday among Salam, Aoun, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Meanwhile, a newly solidified political alliance, comprised of the Lebanese Forces, the Kataeb Party, and the Progressive Socialist Party, reaffirmed its stance in favor of disarmament.

Diplomatic observers are also closely watching the outcome of the Cabinet session, which may trigger regional and international reactions depending on its direction.

Sources close to the Cabinet said both Salam and Aoun are aligned on the two main pillars of the disarmament agenda: first, a formal decision to dismantle all illegal armed groups operating on Lebanese territory; and second, a deadline for implementation no later than December 31, 2025.

Political observers also noted growing unease within Lebanon’s Shiite community, where residents have expressed concern over escalating rhetoric and intimidation via anonymous statements and social media posts; tactics widely believed to be aimed at derailing Tuesday’s session.

Sources said there is fear that unregulated mobilizations could destabilize the fragile security situation and open the door to regional adversaries seeking to provoke internal conflict.

In recent hours, local and international actors reportedly conveyed strong messages to Hezbollah’s leadership, warning against using street pressure to influence the Cabinet’s decisions. They urged the group to abandon such tactics, warning of unpredictable consequences, particularly in a climate of regional volatility.

Analysts warned that any move to destabilize Lebanon now could have grave repercussions.