Lebanon’s government must demonstrate that it is capable of exercising authority over the country and turn its commitment to exclusive State control over weapons into reality, U.S. sources told MTV Lebanon, warning that Beirut cannot make implementation of its commitments dependent on the approval of the very party whose weapons are to be dismantled.

The sources said the Lebanese State, which is negotiating on behalf of the country, must show that it has the authority to enforce the commitments it has made.

They questioned how the government could fulfill those commitments if implementation remains contingent on the consent of the party whose weapons are supposed to be surrendered.

“Israel remains responsible for fulfilling its commitments to withdraw, but that does not relieve the Lebanese government of its responsibility to assert its authority,” the sources said.

“Waiting for outside parties cannot be a substitute for making a decision and implementing it,” they added.

The U.S. sources also stressed that the Lebanese people need more than an end to the current conflict, arguing that the country needs a State capable of preventing another war.

“The Lebanese people need more than just an end to this war,” the sources said. “They need a State that can prevent them from being dragged into another war.”