The Lebanese government has tasked the Lebanese army with preparing a plan to ensure the monopoly of arms by the state before the end of 2025. This decision was made amid ongoing cabinet discussions focused on disarming Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, which has faced increasing pressure domestically and internationally. The cabinet session dedicated to the issue of state control over weapons was marked by the withdrawal of two ministers affiliated with the Shiite political alliance, Hezbollah and Amal Movement, who opposed the decision. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced the postponement of the final decision on the arms monopoly to a subsequent cabinet meeting scheduled for Thursday, emphasizing the army's role in drafting the plan to be presented by the end of the year. Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar highlighted the necessity of disarming illegal weapons for the completion of state sovereignty and warned that Hezbollah's arms have not protected Lebanon since 2000 but have led to destructive outcomes. Hezbollah strongly condemned the government's move, describing it as a "grave sin" and accusing the government of undermining Lebanon's sovereignty and aligning with Israeli interests. Hezbollah also stated it would disregard the government's decision and insisted that any discussion on arms control must be part of a national defense strategy agreed upon without external aggression. The Shiite ministers' withdrawal from the cabinet meeting was characterized as a protest against the disarmament decision, reflecting deep political divisions over the issue. The Lebanese government and army's efforts to centralize arms control aim to reinforce state authority and respond to regional security challenges, though the path forward remains contentious.