Lebanese Army Dismantles Over 500 Hezbollah Positions in South

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced that the Lebanese Army has dismantled over 500 military positions and arms depots belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, south of the Litani River. This move is part of an effort to restore state sovereignty and enforce the state's monopoly on weapons, in line with a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel from November that required Hezbollah to withdraw fighters and dismantle military infrastructure in the area. Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to maintain a presence at five border positions and conducts airstrikes, which Salam condemned as violations that hinder security and stability. Additionally, the Lebanese government plans to disarm Palestinian refugee camps, which have historically been outside state control. On the economic front, Salam emphasized that the government's recovery plan is grounded in realism and includes reforms such as lifting banking secrecy and restructuring the financial sector, conditions set by international donors to unlock financial aid. These reforms aim to address Lebanon's ongoing financial crisis exacerbated by past mismanagement and corruption.