Lebanese Government Bans Describing Hezbollah as 'Resistance' and Directs to Confine its Activity Politically

The Lebanese Minister of Information, Paul Marqos, issued official directives to state media outlets to refrain from using the term 'resistance' when referring to Hezbollah in news coverage. The ministry clarified that this circular comes within the framework of following up on the implementation of recent cabinet decisions, which emphasized the necessity for concerned institutions and agencies to adhere to the state's new policies.

This decision sparked a wide wave of controversy in the Lebanese street and on social media platforms, where opinions were divided between supporters of the move, viewing it as an affirmation of state sovereignty, and opponents who saw it as undermining the party's role in confronting ongoing Israeli aggressions. This step comes at a sensitive time when Lebanon is witnessing escalating military tensions and increasing internal and international political pressures.

Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, had announced at the beginning of March the prohibition of all military and security activities belonging to Hezbollah, describing them as illegal. Salam affirmed that the government decided to confine the party's scope of work to the political aspect only, following rocket attacks carried out by the party towards the city of Haifa, which the government considered a violation of its sovereign decision.

The Prime Minister, in his statements after the cabinet session, emphasized the state's categorical rejection of any military movements originating from Lebanese territory outside the framework of legitimate institutions. He pointed out that the party's monopolization of the decision of war and peace contradicts constitutional principles and puts the credibility of the Lebanese state before the international community at real risk, demanding the necessity of handing over weapons to official authorities.

In the same context, the government had called on the leadership of the Lebanese army in mid-February to immediately begin implementing a security plan aimed at confining weapons to areas located north of the Litani River. The cabinet gave the green light to the military establishment to use all available means to ensure the implementation of this plan and prevent any illegal armed manifestations in those areas.

These rapid developments reflect a radical shift in the Lebanese state's handling of the Hezbollah weapons file, as the government seeks to impose its full control over security and military decisions. Observers believe that these decisions could lead to a complete reshaping of the Lebanese political scene, in light of the challenges the country faces on both security and economic fronts.

The decision of war and peace rests solely with the state, and any military actions outside legitimate institutions are a violation of the law.