Raggi warns Naim Qassem: Weapons will not protect you
1/12/2026 3:24:00 PM
Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said that Hezbollah’s weapons have “become a burden on the Shiite community and on Lebanon.”
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Raggi said: “I tell Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem that the Shiite component is a fundamental part of Lebanon,” stressing, however, that “Hezbollah’s weapons do not protect you, nor do they protect Lebanon.”
He noted that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which entered into force in November 2024, stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, not merely a halt to its operations.
Raggi said that “all political and economic files in Lebanon remain stalled due to the failure to implement the principle of exclusive state control over weapons.”
He added: “It is the Lebanese people who are calling for the exclusivity of arms, not the United States or international parties.”
Raggi warned that “keeping weapons in Hezbollah’s hands will open the door for Israel to continue its attacks on Lebanon.”
He also stressed that “there is no difference between my political position and that of the Lebanese government.”
Regarding relations between Tehran and Hezbollah, Raggi said he told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that “there have been major changes in the region, and Iran must stop its interference in Lebanon.”
He added: “I asked him to ensure that Iranian officials refrain from issuing statements and interfering in Lebanese affairs.”
Raggi concluded by saying that “Iran arms an armed faction, while the United States arms the Lebanese army.”
In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Raggi said: “I tell Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem that the Shiite component is a fundamental part of Lebanon,” stressing, however, that “Hezbollah’s weapons do not protect you, nor do they protect Lebanon.”
He noted that the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, which entered into force in November 2024, stipulates the disarmament of Hezbollah, not merely a halt to its operations.
Raggi said that “all political and economic files in Lebanon remain stalled due to the failure to implement the principle of exclusive state control over weapons.”
He added: “It is the Lebanese people who are calling for the exclusivity of arms, not the United States or international parties.”
Raggi warned that “keeping weapons in Hezbollah’s hands will open the door for Israel to continue its attacks on Lebanon.”
He also stressed that “there is no difference between my political position and that of the Lebanese government.”
Regarding relations between Tehran and Hezbollah, Raggi said he told his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, that “there have been major changes in the region, and Iran must stop its interference in Lebanon.”
He added: “I asked him to ensure that Iranian officials refrain from issuing statements and interfering in Lebanese affairs.”
Raggi concluded by saying that “Iran arms an armed faction, while the United States arms the Lebanese army.”