Al-Akhbar: Majority of Lebanese Oppose Hezbollah Disarmament
The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar detailed the results of a survey conducted by the International Data Center, reported by webangah News Agency citing Mehr News Agency. The survey found that the majority of Lebanese people oppose hezbollah disarming, especially amid concerns over Israel’s compliance with withdrawing from occupied territories and halting attacks against Lebanon.
The poll was conducted between August 21 and 26 among 1,000 Lebanese participants across various regions. It highlighted deep divisions in public opinion regarding Hezbollah’s weaponry. A total of 58.2% rejected disarmament unless israel provided guarantees for withdrawal and cessation of hostilities. Conversely, 34.2% supported Hezbollah handing over arms,while 7.6% declined to comment.
The strongest opposition to unconditional disarmament came from Shia respondents at 96.3%, followed by Druze at 59.3%, and Maronites at 44.5%.
Regarding whether Hezbollah would adhere to a government-imposed deadline for disarming leading to Israeli withdrawal and an end to violations, 63.2% doubted this outcome, while only 26.4% believed disarmament could facilitate these goals; 10.4% did not answer.
When asked if Hezbollah would surrender arms without solid guarantees upfront, a significant majority-81.4%-said they do not expect this to happen, whereas only 6.6% thought resistance might comply without assurances, and 12% refrained from responding.
The survey also exposed clear divisions about whether the Lebanese army would confront Hezbollah if it refused government orders to hand over weapons within the stipulated timeframe: more than half (54.4%) believed there would be no military confrontation; however, about a third (36.6%) considered that force might be used to collect arms; and approximately 9 percent were undecided.
Addressing fears of potential fractures within Lebanon’s military institutions amid any conflict with Hezbollah, just over half (53%) expressed concern that such clashes could split the army internally; simultaneously occurring, four out of ten respondents (40%) trusted in maintaining military unity under those circumstances; about 7 percent chose not to answer.
