Rubio presses Lebanon on confiscation of weapons from Hezbollah

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio presses Lebanon on confiscation of weapons from Hezbollah.

The full report

Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has reaffirmed the country's commitment to bringing all arms under state control, following a telephone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The call was announced by the Lebanese Presidential Palace.

The call came after an explosive-laden truck carrying 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives was intercepted on a highway between Beirut and the eastern Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah acknowledged the group's connection to the shipment, stating that the materials were intended for operations against Israel.

Rubio urged Aoun to hold accountable those who ordered, financed, and directed the shipment, warning that 'returning explosives to [Hezbollah] should be out of the question.' A State Department official told US media that Rubio also advocated for direct military-to-military communication between Lebanese and Israeli forces 'for deconfliction'.

In response, Aoun asked Rubio to press Israel to halt its attacks and destruction in southern Lebanon. Separately on Thursday, Rubio spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran, according to Israeli media reports.

Lebanon has pledged to bring all weaponry under state control, following a government declaration in March that all military activities by Hezbollah are illegal. However, the group has stated its intention to continue transporting arms in its confrontation with Israel.

Aoun received the call on Thursday, assuring Rubio that Lebanese security forces are fully carrying out their duties in confiscating illicit arms across the country. Judicial officials told The Associated Press news agency that the truck was carrying 780kg (1,720lb) of explosives, including 250kg (550lb) of TNT and 550lb of C4 plastic explosives.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that Lebanon would conduct an investigation to track down members of Hezbollah linked to the incident. Salam described the transport as a 'criminal operation' and praised security forces for intercepting the vehicle along the strategic highway linking Beirut with the Bekaa Valley.