Washington, August 7 (V7N) – The U.S. State Department has welcomed the Lebanese government's recent decision to place all weapons within its borders, including those held by Hezbollah, under official military control. The move is being hailed as a significant step toward restoring full Lebanese sovereignty.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott emphasized the importance of translating the Lebanese government’s words into concrete action.

“This is an important step towards Lebanese sovereignty,” Pigott said. “But as long as Hezbollah retains arms, words will not suffice. The Lebanese forces must fully commit and act now to implement the government's decision.”

He added that the credibility of the Lebanese government hinges on its ability to follow through with its declaration and demonstrate a firm commitment to national and international expectations.

Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and political party backed by Iran, has long maintained a parallel military structure outside the control of the Lebanese armed forces, raising concerns among Western nations and regional neighbors over the group’s autonomy and influence.

While the Lebanese government’s statement marks a potentially transformative shift in the country’s political-military balance, its enforcement remains a significant challenge. Past attempts to disarm Hezbollah have faced internal resistance and regional geopolitical complexity.

International observers will be closely monitoring developments as Lebanon navigates this critical effort to assert governmental authority and ensure national unity in the face of internal division and external pressure.

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