The Lebanese government has asked the national army to prepare a plan to ensure only state institutions have weapons by the end of the year.

The Lebanese government asked the national army Tuesday to prepare a plan in which only state institutions will have weapons in the small nation by the end of the year, a move that aims to disarm the militant Hezbollah group.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Tuesday said his group rejects any timetable for handing over its weapons while Israeli strikes continue, warning that the move would only serve Israel’s interests. "We do not agree to any timetable that is presented to be implemented under the umbrella of Israeli aggression,

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem threatened Israel directly for the first time in months in a televised speech on Tuesday, saying missiles would fall on it if it resumed a broad war on Lebanon.

JERUSALEM: The Israeli army said today that it killed a Hezbollah operative in the Bekaa region of east Lebanon who it said was directing insurgent cells in Syria.

Naim Qassem reveals war with Israel killed 5,000 Hezbollah fighters as Lebanese cabinet meets to discuss disarming terror group