Hezbollah harshly criticised the Lebanese government’s decision on Wednesday to task the army with preparing a plan to disarm the pro-Iranian movement.

The group described the move as a “grave mistake” that weakens Lebanon and hands Israel a victory it failed to achieve militarily.

The group said they would treat the decision as “non-existent”.

Hezbollah said it remained open to dialogue aimed at ending Israeli aggression and formulating a national defence strategy, provided it was not imposed under outside pressure.

“This decision serves Israeli interests fully,” the group said of Tuesday’s cabinet decision, warning that it left Lebanon exposed to aggression and undermined its sovereignty.

The government “tasked the Lebanese Army with setting an implementation plan to restrict weapons” to members of the army only, making sure they do not fall into other hands.

Mr Salam told a news conference on Tuesday after the nearly six-hour cabinet session.

He added that the cabinet would meet again on Thursday to discuss more details.

The decision marked the first serious step toward addressing Hezbollah’s arsenal. 

(dpa/NAN)