Nassar Rejects Any Government Backtracking on Hezbollah Military Ban

Justice Minister Adel Nassar has ruled out any government move to reverse its decision banning Hezbollah's military activities, warning that the group poses a threat to civil peace and national security.

In an interview with Al-Liwaa, Nassar said he would oppose any attempt to overturn the decision, stressing that the government's position was consistent with provisions already enshrined in the Constitution and Lebanese law.

"I don't know whether the State intends to walk back its commitment to principles that are already clearly established in the Constitution and the law. As far as I'm concerned, I will never agree to putting this issue up for discussion," he said.

On the possibility of dialogue between Hezbollah and President Joseph Aoun, Nassar said he had no knowledge of any such discussions.

He stressed that handing over weapons should not be viewed as surrender, arguing that Hezbollah must comply with government decisions to place all weapons under state authority and stop turning Lebanon into an arena for regional conflicts.

Meanwhile, Hezbollah has informed relevant parties that certain fundamental principles must be respected in any dialogue process and are not open to compromise, Al-Liwaa reported, citing information it had obtained.

The group has not taken a definitive position on whether dialogue should include measures to restore its standing, but it has made clear that it will not negotiate over its weapons, the newspaper reported.

Efforts to arrange direct talks between Hezbollah and the presidency appear to face significant obstacles, with the group's conditions and the government's insistence on its existing position leaving little room for compromise.