The Lebanese Army declared on Thursday that the first phase of a plan to control weapons south of Litani River was completed, warning that the continuation of the Israeli attacks and occupation of Lebanese territory hinders the plan.
In a statement, the Lebanese Army Command affirmed “full commitment to assuming exclusive responsibility for maintaining security and stability in Lebanon, in coordination with all other security agencies.”
The national army noted that such commitment comes “in accordance with decisions of the political authority and its obligations arising from the relevant international resolutions, in order to ensure the return of security and stability to the southern borders, and to completely prevent their use as a launching pad for any military actions, and within the framework of implementing the decision of the Lebanese State to extend its authority by its own forces exclusively over all Lebanese territory.”
“The First phase of state monopoly on arms plan south of Litani River has completed,” the statement read.
“The first phase focused on “expanding the Army’s operational presence, securing vital areas, and establishing operational control over territories that have come under its authority in the sector south of the Litani River.”
تنفيذًا لقرار مجلس الوزراء اللبناني الصادر بتاريخ ٥ آب ٢٠٢٥، يؤكد الجيش التزامه الكامل بتولي وممارسة المسؤولية الحصرية عن حفظ الأمن والاستقرار في لبنان، مع سائر الأجهزة الأمنية، ولا سيما في منطقة جنوب نهر الليطاني، وذلك وفاءً لواجباته المنصوص عليها في الدستور اللبناني والقوانين… pic.twitter.com/HIUaJpfznf
— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) January 8, 2026
In this context, the Lebanese Army indicated that work in the area south of the Litani is still ongoing until the clearance of unexploded ordnance and tunnels is completed, as well as the implementation of the requests for measures to be taken, “in order to consolidate control in the long term and prevent any reconstitution of the capabilities of the armed groups.”
“The Army Command will carry out a general assessment of the first phase of the “Homeland Shield” plan,” the statement read, adding that the assessment will serve as a basis for defining the process of the following phases.
“Israeli Violations”
However, it noted that “the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory and the occupation of several sites within it, along with the establishment of buffer zones that restrict access to certain areas, as well as the ongoing daily violations of the cessation of hostilities agreement issued on November 27, 2024, negatively impacts the state’s ability to extend its authority and maintain its monopoly on arms.”
Notably, the statement added that the delay in the arrival of the promised military capabilities for the Army “constitutes an influential factor in the pace of task execution.”
“These factors require urgent and serious handling as they represent essential elements for enabling the army to complete its tasks,” the statement added.
The Lebanese Army also affirmed its continued coordination and joint work with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and with the ceasefire monitoring Mechanism, “in a way that contributes to strengthening stability in the southern Litani region.”
Source: Al-Manar English Website