Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reaffirmed his government’s intention to assert full state authority over its territory, including a controversial plan to disarm Hezbollah. The announcement came during a speech marking Army Day on Thursday, signaling a pivotal moment for the country’s internal stability and its volatile relationship with Israel.

BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called on Hezbollah and other political parties on Thursday to hand over their weapons to the army, a move the powerful militant group is resisting as Washington ramps up pressures for it to remove its arsenal.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun stepped up his calls for Hezbollah to disarm on Thursday, suggesting failure to do so would give Israel an excuse to continue attacks and saying the issue would be on the agenda of a cabinet meeting next week.