Beirut (Lebanon) (AFP) - German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on the Lebanese authorities from Beirut to continue disarming Hezbollah, considering that this would create the conditions for Israel's withdrawal from areas it advanced to during the war.

Published on: 02/16/2026 - 15:01

Hezbollah fought a war with Israel that lasted for more than a year, and ended in November 2024 with a ceasefire, which did not prevent the Hebrew state from continuing to launch bloody strikes while keeping its forces in five strategic hills in southern Lebanon, even though the agreement stipulated their complete withdrawal.

During a joint press conference with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Steinmeier said, "The demand is that the two parties fulfill their obligations under the ceasefire agreement, and that Hezbollah continues to disarm here in Lebanon, thus creating the conditions for the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon."

He considered that "both parties are obligated to implement the ceasefire agreement," describing it as an "opportunity."

Hezbollah emerged weak from the war with Israel. In August, the Lebanese government approved the disarmament of Hezbollah and assigned the Lebanese army to implement a plan it had drawn up and work began on it the following month.

In early January, the army announced the completion of the first phase of the plan, which included south of the Litani River (about 30 km from the southern border with the Hebrew state).

However, Israel questioned the step and considered it insufficient. It continues to launch bloody strikes that it says are aimed at preventing the party, which refuses to disarm, from restoring its military capabilities.

On Monday, during a session held by the Council of Ministers, the Army Command will present its monthly report on the “plan to restrict weapons in the Lebanese regions,” which is supposed to include details of the second phase of the plan related to the remaining regions of southern Lebanon.

For his part, the Lebanese President affirmed during the press conference, "We are no longer able to bear anyone's disputes or anyone's burdens."

In response to a question about what Lebanon requested from the German President, Aoun replied, “We asked... for their assistance to the Lebanese army, and for them, if possible, to have a primary role after UNIFIL,” referring to the United Nations Interim Force in southern Lebanon.

UNIFIL's mandate expires at the end of this year, and it is supposed to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon during the next year. Lebanon demands the necessity of maintaining an international force, even a small one, in the south of the country, and stresses the importance of European countries participating in it.

Germany participates in the UNIFIL force with naval units, with a force of 179 soldiers, and also trains Lebanese naval units.

burs-lar/bq

© 2026 AFP

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