Last week, Lebanon\u2019s cabinet instructed security forces to restrict weapons in Beirut exclusively to state institutions, a move that fell short of full demilitarization of the capital.<\/p>\n
\t \u201cThe army and security forces are requested to immediately begin reinforcing the full imposition of state authority over Beirut Governorate and to monopolize weapons in the hands of legitimate authorities alone,\u201d Salam said at the end of a cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a statement that \u201cthe only solution to the situation Lebanon is facing is a ceasefire with Israel that would lead to direct negotiations between the two countries.\u201d<\/p>\n At a meeting held earlier Thursday with representatives of Lebanon\u2019s Maronite community, Aoun said the Lebanese proposal for a ceasefire and negotiations was beginning to receive positive responses in international circles, adding that Lebanon continued to hold international talks on the matter.<\/p>\n Lebanese Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Moawad, Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel Leiter, and US Ambassador to Beirut Michel Issa \u2013 respectively leading the Lebanese, Israeli, and US delegations in Washington \u2013 will be in attendance at Tuesday\u2019s planned talks, a US official familiar with the details told The Times of Israel.<\/p>\n \t Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said last week that Israel would begin negotiations with Lebanon \u201cas soon as possible,\u201d aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching a full peace agreement between the countries.<\/p>\n Jerusalem and Beirut seemed to be at odds over the conditions under which the talks would take place, with Lebanon demanding a ceasefire first, while Israel insisted that they be held under fire.<\/p>\n Hezbollah, for its part, has strongly rejected any direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.<\/p>\n The move is \u201ca blatant violation of the (national) pact, the constitution, and Lebanese laws\u2026 and it exacerbates domestic divisions at a time when Lebanon most needs solidarity and internal unity to face Israel\u2019s aggression,\u201d Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said on Saturday.<\/p>\n Hezbollajh, like its Iranian patron, openly seeks to destroy Israel.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tLebanon\u2019s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri chairs a parliamentary session to elect a president, in Beirut, January 9, 2025. (Anwar Amro \/ AFP)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/AP26100533051404-640x400.jpg\")
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\n\t\tA Hezbollah supporter waves a flag with the portrait of the late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a protest against the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, in front the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, April 10, 2026. (AP Photo\/Hussein Malla)<\/p>\n
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