The Lebanese Army said it has concluded the first phase of its weapons-control plan south of the Litani River and is preparing to move into subsequent stages, after achieving what it described as tangible and effective results on the ground.

In a statement issued by the Army Command’s Directorate of Orientation, the military said the initial phase of the plan — carried out under a cabinet decision dated August 5, 2025 — focused on expanding the army’s operational presence and asserting State authority in southern Lebanon.

“The army’s plan to consolidate control over weapons has entered an advanced stage, after achieving the goals of the first phase effectively and tangibly on the ground,” the statement said.

According to the army, the completed phase centered on “expanding the operational presence of the army, securing vital areas, and establishing operational control over territories that have come under its authority in the sector south of the Litani River,” excluding areas that remain under Israeli occupation.

The Army Command said it will now carry out a “comprehensive and general assessment” of the first phase of the plan, known as “Homeland Shield,” which will serve as the basis for determining the course of the next stages.

Work in the southern sector is continuing, the army said, until unexploded ordnance and tunnels are fully dealt with and requests for actions aimed at consolidating control are completed, “with the objective of preventing armed groups from rebuilding their capabilities."

The statement reaffirmed the army’s “full commitment to assuming and exercising exclusive responsibility, alongside the other security agencies, for maintaining security and stability in Lebanon,” particularly south of the Litani, in line with the Lebanese constitution, applicable laws and international obligations.

This, it said, is intended to “ensure the restoration of security and stability along the southern border and prevent its use, once and for all, as a launching ground for any military actions,” within the framework of the state’s decision to extend its authority over all Lebanese territory exclusively through its own forces.

While underscoring progress, the army warned that several factors continue to hinder the full execution of its mission. It cited “continued Israeli attacks on Lebanese territory,” the occupation of a number of sites, the establishment of buffer zones restricting access to certain areas, and “daily violations” of the ceasefire agreement of Nov. 27, 2024.

“These factors negatively affect the completion of the required tasks, particularly in the vicinity of these areas,” the statement said, adding that they impede the extension of state authority and the confinement of weapons to the Lebanese armed forces alone.

The army also pointed to delays in the arrival of promised military capabilities, saying this has had a direct impact on the pace of implementation.

“Taken together, these factors require urgent and serious treatment,” the statement said, to enable the army to complete the next phases of its plan “in a responsible, gradual and coordinated manner,” in line with Lebanon’s supreme national interest and the need to safeguard sovereignty and stability.

The army said it will continue close coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and with the ceasefire monitoring mechanism, which it said contributes to stability south of the Litani River. It expressed thanks to the countries contributing to UNIFIL and praised the work of the American and French teams within the mechanism.

In closing, the army commended residents of southern Lebanon for their cooperation, saying their commitment to security and stability was “a key factor” in the success of the first phase and reflects “the depth of mutual trust between citizens and the military institution.”

The Army Command also praised its soldiers for their “exceptional efforts” and “genuine sacrifices,” saying their resolve and sense of national duty were decisive in achieving the objectives of the first phase, despite harsh conditions, the presence of mines and explosives, and Israeli attacks targeting areas of troop deployment.