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A member of Hezbollah’s political council, Mahmoud Qmati, cautioned on Wednesday against the government’s strategy regarding the group’s disarmament, stating that it might result in a civil conflict.

Qmati stated that there will be no discussion or conversation about Hezbollah’s disarmament north of the Litani River until Israel evacuates all Lebanese territories.

“The sole way to maintain Lebanon’s stability is by establishing a national defense strategy,” Qmati stated, advocating for a dialogue among Lebanese people.

Faced with U.S. pressure and concerns over broader Israeli attacks, Lebanon has agreed to disarm the Iran-aligned Hezbollah, which was significantly weakened after over a year of conflicts with Israel that largely concluded in late 2024.

Although a truce was established in November, Israel continues to carry out frequent attacks on Lebanon, typically claiming the targets are Hezbollah, and has kept forces stationed in five southern Lebanese regions it considers “strategic”.

Last week, the Lebanese military announced that it had finished the initial stage of its initiative to neutralize the group, focusing on the region located south of the Litani River, approximately 30 kilometers away from the Israeli border.

A proposal regarding the disarmament in the area north of the Litani will be submitted to the cabinet in the coming month.

In a TV interview, Qmati stated that the course the country is following will result in “instability and chaos,” and “possibly a civil war.” He blamed certain individuals within the government for making “free” concessions to Israel without receiving anything in return and for “carrying out external orders.”

The Lebanese military has destroyed tunnels and other military facilities linked to Hezbollah close to the Israeli border in recent months, confiscating arms and supplies, even with its restricted capabilities.

Israel, which accuses Hezbollah of rearming, has criticized the army’s efforts as inadequate.

“The army’s role should not be to defend Israel against any military activity from Lebanon. Instead, it should focus on dealing with Israel, which occupies Lebanon,” Qmati stated, noting that the army and its command are wise and will not fight against their own people, and that the resistance will not be forced into a conflict with the army.

On Wednesday, Lebanon announced that a conference aimed at supporting its army, which is facing financial shortages, lack of equipment, and limited technical skills, will be held in Paris on March 5.