Statement by The Capitol Institute.
We are following with deep concern the ongoing developments regarding the presence of armed groups and stockpiles of weapons outside the authority of the Lebanese state, foremost among them Hezbollah. The continued possession of weapons outside state sovereignty constitutes an existential threat to Lebanon’s stability and to the safety of its citizens.
We hold Hezbollah fully responsible for any consequences that may result from its failure to comply with the repeated calls of the Lebanese state and the international community to disarm and transfer its weapons to legitimate state institutions. By clinging to its arsenal and military structure, Hezbollah deliberately endangers civilians, obstructs reforms and reconstruction, and drags Lebanon into destructive regional conflicts.
We affirm that the international community — including partner and allied nations — must be ready to take firm and decisive measures if disarmament is not implemented immediately and transparently. Such measures may include economic and diplomatic sanctions, political isolation, and international legal accountability to safeguard civilians and restore Lebanese sovereignty.
While we stress that political and diplomatic solutions remain preferable, the responsibility for any escalation or humanitarian tragedy will rest squarely with those who refuse to submit their weapons to the authority of the state.
The Capitol Institute calls upon the international community to act swiftly and decisively in prioritizing the protection of the Lebanese people and the restoration of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
