Lebanon affirms exclusive state arms monopoly, weighs referral of explosives case to judiciary

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told the cabinet Thursday that the state alone holds the right to arms and the decision of war and peace.

• Salam said the state monopoly on weapons is rooted in the constitution, the 1989 Taif Agreement, UN Resolution 1701 and the November 2024 ceasefire declaration.
• Salam warned that storing or transporting weapons outside state-sanctioned bodies risks public safety and warrants judicial prosecution and legal penalties.
• The cabinet weighed referring the explosives case to the judiciary after security forces intercepted a 500-kilogram shipment on October 8 and Hezbollah acknowledged ownership.
• Salam announced progress in talks with Qatar on a power-sector rehabilitation project and said he would convene a cabinet session on electricity within two weeks.