Lebanon’s Justice Minister Adel Nassar addressed the latest developments in the weapons file at a press conference. He focused on what they mean for the country’s future and national security.
Nassar said the decision to place all weapons under state control has been made. This includes handing Hezbollah’s weapons over to the state. He called it a calculated choice with no turning back. In his view, these weapons have brought Lebanon only disasters and reckless adventures over the past 27 years. As a result, entire generations have been pushed toward destruction and death, with no political or national horizon.
He also asked how anyone can still justify keeping the weapons. After all, Hezbollah itself admits it has lost its deterrence capability. Nor is there any balance of power left.
Furthermore, the minister stressed that sober diplomatic negotiations remain the only effective path. They are the best way to recover the remaining occupied land and stop the attacks at the lowest possible cost. However, he warned that wasting more time or making wrong bets would drag Lebanon into new “support wars” and disastrous regional conflicts. Such conflicts would destroy what remains of the state.
In addition, Nassar said reason and the country’s higher interest require completing the handover. Everyone should join the state project with minimal damage.
Responding to criticism and political tension, he rejected claims that the process targets a particular sect or harms the Shia community in particular. He called these claims baseless and completely untrue. Instead, he said, placing weapons solely in the hands of legitimate institutions is the only way to protect all Lebanese without exception. It is also the way to rebuild the country on solid sovereign foundations.
