“One Army, One State”: Patriarch Rai challenges Hezbollah’s armed role

For the first time since Joseph Aoun's election as President of Lebanon on January 9, Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai visited the Baabda Presidential Palace on Wednesday to express his support for the newly elected head of state.

During their meeting, Patriarch Rai underscored the urgency of preserving national unity and reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to diplomatic channels in response to near-daily Israeli airstrikes.

“The Lebanese people remain committed to diplomacy,” the patriarch said, while also addressing one of the country’s most divisive internal issues: the dual military presence in Lebanon.

“It is no longer acceptable to maintain two armies and two arsenals within one nation,” Rai stated, referring to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Hezbollah militia. He emphasized the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which stipulates that all weapons on Lebanese soil must be under exclusive control of the Lebanese state.

“This is not merely a military question,” he said, “but one that demands diplomatic engagement and political will from both the president and the cabinet to reach a national resolution.”

The question of Hezbollah’s disarmament was already on the table during the March 13 cabinet meeting, where parties such as the Lebanese Forces and Kataeb called for a clear timeline to dismantle Hezbollah’s military wing. In response, Shiite ministers Tamara el-Zein (Environment) and Yassine Jaber (Finance) firmly rejected any move toward disarmament, arguing that Israel's continued occupation of five strategic positions in South Lebanon justified the group's armed presence.

After the War: A Weakened Hezbollah, but Tensions Persist

Hezbollah’s military power has been significantly weakened following its recent war with Israel. The group opened a support front in October 2023 during the Gaza conflict and later agreed to a ceasefire in November 2024, which included a withdrawal from areas south of the Litani River and commitment to disarm in that zone.

The Lebanese army has since expanded its deployment in southern Lebanon, though Israel continues to hold five positions on Lebanese territory. In parallel, Israeli forces conduct regular operations targeting Hezbollah operatives in the area, keeping tensions high despite the ceasefire.

Patriarch Rai’s comments reflect growing consensus among political factions that Hezbollah’s weapons can no longer remain a taboo subject.

His backing of President Aoun also signals a desire to strengthen state institutions and move toward a single, unified defense structure — a step many see as essential to Lebanon’s sovereignty and long-term stability.