Haykal reportedly tells cabinet disarmament plan going as planned

Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal presented to Cabinet a detailed briefing about the first phase of the army’s plan to monopolize arms in the country, LBCI television said.

“He mentioned that it includes three main points: monopolizing arms south of the Litani, containing weapons across Lebanon and controlling the Palestinian camps, which means closing the gaps in the camps and limiting entry and exit to entrances controlled by the army,” LBCI added.

“Haykal detailed all these points and explained to ministers what the army has implemented of them, where it was implemented and the extent of progress in the plan, while presenting numbers,” the TV network said.

“The army chief said the South’s residents have not obstructed the implementation of the plan’s first phase in the South Litani area, adding that there is cooperation between the army and U.N. forces there,” LBCI added.

“Haykal stressed that despite the Israeli obstacles and attacks, the army is implementing its agenda for the first phase and things are going as planned,” the TB network said, adding that Haykal called on the state to “activate its presence in the South.”

Cabinet had on September 5 endorsed a Lebanese Army plan for monopolizing arms in the country, tasking the military with submitting monthly reports. The first report was submitted by Haykal on Monday.

The first phase of the plan is expected to be concluded by the end of this year.