The armed group "Hezbollah" has rejected the Lebanese government's decision to give the army at least four months to progress on the second phase of a national disarmament plan, "Reuters" reports.
The group stressed that it would not accept what it considers a move in favor of Israel.
In August 2025, the Lebanese cabinet tasked the army with drawing up and starting to implement a plan to disarm all armed groups under state control - a drive aimed primarily at "Hezbollah" after its devastating war with Israel in 2024.
Last September, the cabinet officially welcomed the army's plan to disarm the Iranian-backed Shiite militia, although it did not set a clear deadline and warned that the military's limited capabilities and ongoing Israeli strikes could hinder progress.
The secretary-general of "Hezbollah" Sheikh Naim Qassem said yesterday that "what the Lebanese government is doing by focusing on disarmament is a big mistake because this issue serves the goals of Israeli aggression".
Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting that the government had taken note of the army's monthly report on its arms control plan, which includes limiting weapons in areas north of the Litani River to the Awali River in Sidon, and had given it four months.
"The required period is four months, which can be renewed depending on the available capabilities, Israeli attacks and field obstacles," he specified.
Hezbollah MP Hassan Fadlallah said: "We cannot be lenient," signaling the group's rejection of the deadline and the broader approach to the issue of its weapons.
"Hezbollah" has dismissed the disarmament efforts as a misstep while Israel continues to attack Lebanon, and Shiite ministers walked out of a cabinet meeting in protest.
Israel says disarming "Hezbollah" is a security priority and insists that the group's weapons outside the control of the Lebanese government pose a direct threat to its security.
Israeli officials say any disarmament plan must be fully and effectively implemented, especially in areas close to the border, and that "Hezbollah"'s continued military activity constitutes a violation of relevant international resolutions.
Israel also stated that it would continue to take action to prevent hostile entities from entrenching or arming themselves in Lebanon until cross-border threats are eliminated.