Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi stepped up his criticism of Hezbollah on Tuesday, declaring that the government’s recent decision to place all weapons under State authority had stripped the Iran-backed group of its justification to retain its arsenal.

In an interview with Al Arabiya, al-Rahi said Hezbollah must accept that the Lebanese Army is the sole guarantor of national defense.

"The government’s decision to confine weapons exclusively to the State has rendered the slogan of 'resistance' obsolete," he said.

Al-Rahi dismissed recent remarks by Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem as political posturing and insisted that Lebanon is not on the brink of civil war. He argued that the Shiite community itself is exhausted by decades of conflict and now seeks to live in peace, adding that there is  broad national consensus to proceed with disarmament. 

“This is the first time the president, the parliament speaker, and the prime minister agree that arms must remain under State control. This brings peace to Lebanon, and no one can live without peace,” he said.

The patriarch warned that Hezbollah can no longer unilaterally decide on war and peace; a power that the Constitution reserves for the government.

“We cannot accept one man—the secretary-general of Hezbollah—to take such decisions,” he said.

Al-Rahi accused Tehran of undermining Lebanese sovereignty, slamming its interference in Lebanese affairs as "blatant” he said.

“Iran crosses red lines because it stands with one side in Lebanon, the Shiite sect and Hezbollah. It cannot give weapons to one side. This is blatant aggression and intervening in domestic affairs,” he said.

He revealed that he had declined an invitation to visit Iran a few years ago, saying he would not consider such a visit at the time being due to Tehran's “bad policies.”

The patriarch urged Hezbollah to embrace its national identity rather than follow directives from abroad.

“You are Lebanese. Live as Lebanese, not as followers of Iran,” he said, recalling that Hezbollah’s own leadership has acknowledged receiving money, weapons, and orders from Tehran.

“Then how are you Lebanese? You must pledge allegiance to the Lebanese State, not to Iran,” he added, noting that the Shiite community had been represented in both the government and parliament long before the "resistance” was established and that its political role does not depend on weapons.

Al-Rahi also downplayed fears of renewed internal conflict, deeming such warnings as "exaggerated."

“No one wants another civil war,” he said. “The people are tired of war and have been since 1975.”

On Lebanon’s fraught relationship with Israel, al-Rahi ruled out normalization for now but left the door open in the longer term.

“In the future, when Lebanon faces no danger, why wouldn’t there be an agreement?” he said, adding that only a strong Lebanese State with full sovereignty over its territory can prevent Israeli expansionist ambitions.

Despite his sharp criticism, al-Rahi said dialogue with Hezbollah would continue.

“We maintain open channels. Bkirki speaks frankly, without sugarcoating, and always in Lebanon’s interest,” he said.

The patriarch also emphasized that Lebanon’s priority must be reconstruction and development, not war. He renewed his call for the United Nations to shield the country from regional and international conflicts and disclosed ongoing efforts to convene a spiritual summit bringing together Christian and Muslim leaders.