Marco Rubio urges Lebanon not to return confiscated explosives to Hezbollah

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke by telephone with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Thursday to address the confiscation of illicit arms from Hezbollah. Al Jazeera, Reuters, The National, Arab News, The Media Line, and Axios all reported on the call between the two officials. Al Jazeera reported that the Lebanese Presidential Palace announced the discussion, which focused on weapons intended for use against Israel. [1][2][3][4][5][6]

During the call, President Aoun assured Rubio that security forces in Lebanon are carrying out their duties to confiscate illegal weapons across the country, according to Al Jazeera. Reuters, Arab News, The Media Line, and Axios reported that Rubio urged Lebanese officials not to return the seized explosives to Hezbollah despite pressure from the militant group. [1][2][4][5][6]

Al Jazeera reported that the phone call followed the interception of a truck carrying 780 kilograms, or 1,720 pounds, of explosives on a highway between Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley last week. On Thursday, Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah acknowledged the incident, according to Al Jazeera. [1]

Lebanon uses a power-sharing political system established in 1943 that allocates key offices by religious sect, including reserving the presidency for Christian Catholic Maronites. The country faces ongoing instability involving Hezbollah, an Iran-backed Shia Islamist militia operating within its borders. [9]

President Aoun reaffirmed the commitment of Lebanon to bring all weapons in the country under state control, according to Al Jazeera. [1]