Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that the disarmament of Hezbollah must be achieved through negotiations, warning that any attempt to impose such measures by force would risk plunging the country into civil war.

In an interview with Spanish newspaper El País, Salam acknowledged that Hezbollah’s political clout has diminished and its military command weakened by Israeli airstrikes that have targeted its leadership. He is now pushing for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) to deploy across all Lebanese territory and restore the State's monopoly on arms.

“The disarmament of Hezbollah is the goal — that’s the goal now. It’s not the starting point,” Salam said.

Despite a ceasefire declared on November 27, Israel continues to strike targets in Lebanon nearly every day. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, insists that any talks depend first on a halt to Israeli attacks and a full military withdrawal from Lebanese territory.

“The government’s position is clear. Israel must withdraw from all Lebanese territory, which obviously includes the five points, or even if they become four, three, or two. As for Hezbollah, the issue of its arms monopoly is something that must be in the hands of the State. It is the only legitimate authority and the only actor authorized to carry weapons. So, I really don’t see the contradiction or the connection,” he argued.

He emphasized that Resolution 1701 stipulates a weapons-free zone south of the Litani, enforced by the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), but insisted that the principle of state control applies nationwide.

“The weapons monopoly applies to the south, north, east, and west of the country. And we are moving in that direction.”

Asked about timelines, Salam was blunt.

“The date for Israel’s complete withdrawal has already passed. It was supposed to happen by the end of January. Then there was a 15-day extension — that also expired. The full deployment of the Lebanese army should have taken place years ago under the Taif Accords. What’s the deadline? A month? Six months? A year? The deadline has already passed. We need to move quickly.”

Hezbollah supporters argue that the group’s presence is necessary, claiming the Lebanese army lacks the capacity to confront Israel’s military or care for the tens of thousands displaced in the south, especially with state resources depleted. 

“I understand those criticisms,” Salam said. “But what’s the alternative? Do the critics offer any other path forward? No. We have no choice but to mobilize every political and diplomatic tool available.”

Despite the headwinds, Salam’s government has notched some early wins, including the first municipal elections since 2016 and the introduction of a new banking reform bill.

“We’ve implemented a new merit-based system for civil service appointments — competitive and transparent,” Salam said. “It’s a milestone. On financial reform, we’ve adopted a bill to restructure the banking sector and reversed prior government decisions on coastal land use. We’re also working on a draft law to enhance judicial independence.”

Still, corruption and patronage networks that plagued previous administrations continue to erode trust at home and abroad, complicating Lebanon’s appeal for foreign aid and investment. Asked how his cabinet differs from past governments, Salam responded sharply: commitment.

"This is a government committed to reform, to extending state sovereignty over the whole country.”

He cited tighter border control with Syria and increased oversight at the Beirut port and airport, facilities long said to be under Hezbollah’s influence.

Salam also outlined his government's push for Lebanon’s reintegration into the Arab world, banking on renewed Gulf tourism and trade.

“We’re optimistic that Saudi Arabia will lift travel and export bans before summer,” said Salam, who visited Riyadh in April.

Turning to Syria, Salam hoped that lifting sanctions would expedite the return of the displaced Syrians who still live in Lebanon, and address the country's crippling energy crisis by reconnecting to the Arab electricity grid via Damascus— Lebanon’s only direct land link to the Arab world. It would also ease trade and attract investment.

Salam affirmed that his broader vision is to insulate Lebanon from foreign interference by rebuilding strong, functional state institutions.

“The more we can advance in rebuilding the state and asserting its authority, the less Lebanon will be vulnerable to outside influence,” he said.