Lebanon defends Hezbollah arms

Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami says that the country will not surrender to “threats against Hezbollah’s arms.”

The Lebanese minister, however, did not elaborate on the nature or the source of the threats, Xinhua reported on Monday.

Hezbollah repelled Israeli attacks against Lebanon during the 33-day war in 2006.

UN Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war, demanded that Hezbollah be disarmed. However, the new Lebanese cabinet’s policy statement, finalized on November 26, said that Hezbollah can maintain its arms to resist Israel.

Al-Shami stressed that the country will not relinquish its right to liberate its occupied territory. He said that Lebanon will defend its territory against any aggression.

Al-Shami also called for strong ties between Lebanon and Syria, saying that solidarity with Arab will give Lebanon more stability.