Lebanon Faces an Existential Choice: Weapons or the State?

A preemptive struggle over Lebanon’s role in the new regional order

By Daoud Rammal (originally in Arabic) | English version prepared by Akhbar al-Yawm

A long-standing and politically sensitive debate over Hezbollah’s weapons has resurfaced in Lebanon, exposing deep divisions as the country grapples with internal instability and regional volatility.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, backed by key Arab and Western allies, has taken a firm position that no meaningful economic recovery or reconstruction can occur while arms remain outside the state's control. He has called for full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, framing it as essential to restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and attracting foreign investment.

"The state cannot rebuild or reform under the shadow of parallel arms," Salam said in recent discussions with cabinet ministers, some of whom echoed his stance in affirming the principle of a “single sovereign authority.”

But Hezbollah and its allies reject the push, especially as tensions escalate along Lebanon’s southern border with Israel. The Iran-backed group views the renewed scrutiny as part of a broader effort to constrain its role in the region, arguing that its weapons serve as a deterrent against Israeli aggression and remain critical to national defense.

In an interview with "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency, a senior diplomatic source in Beirut described the dispute as part of a "preemptive power struggle" over Lebanon’s role in a changing regional order.

"This is no longer just a Lebanese issue", the diplomat said. "There’s a race underway to shape Lebanon’s internal balance ahead of any broader settlement in the region".

As international negotiations intensify and the threat of further conflict with Israel looms, Lebanon faces a pivotal moment. Whether it can establish a unified security framework or remain caught in geopolitical crossfires may determine the viability of its institutions in the years ahead.