Lebanon’s Ministry of Information has issued a directive instructing all state-run media outlets to drop the word “resistance” when referring to Hezbollah, signaling a major shift in the government’s official stance toward the group.

The order applies to statements issued by Hezbollah that include the phrase “Islamic Resistance” and to reporting across the National News Agency, Télé Liban, and Lebanese Radio.

According to sources familiar with the matter cited by Al-Modon, the directive was communicated to media staff by Information Minister Paul Morcos. The move aligns with a Cabinet decision asserting that the State alone holds authority over decisions of war and peace. It also enforces the separation of Hezbollah’s political and military wings and implements a plan presented by the Lebanese Army during the February 16 Cabinet session, specifically targeting the restriction of weapons north of the Litani River and mandating the use of all available measures to ensure compliance.

The directive marks a significant turning point in Lebanon’s official media narrative. By eliminating references to Hezbollah as a “resistance” force, the State effectively removes the political cover that previously legitimized the group’s military operations, classifying its fighters as operating outside the law. The armed wing of Hezbollah is now officially regarded as an unauthorized militia rather than a legitimate resistance movement.

The order has sparked internal discussions within state media institutions, with editors and department heads instructing staff that the directive is binding. Sources said journalists were told that the term “resistance” is no longer permissible in official reporting, underscoring the government’s intent to assert full control over Lebanon’s war and peace narrative.