Lebanon must refuse Hezbollah’s demand to return seized explosives - editorial

Lebanese security forces seized hundreds of kilograms of explosives from a vehicle at a checkpoint. Hezbollah admitted the shipment belonged to the organization and demanded its return. The Jerusalem Post editorial argues the Lebanese government should reject the demand to enforce state authority and prevent Hezbollah from overruling security forces.

Lebanese security forces recently seized hundreds of kilograms of explosives from a vehicle at a checkpoint on the highway linking Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. Hezbollah admitted the shipment belonged to the organization and demanded its return. Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said, "The vehicle and its cargo belong to the resistance," and also demanded the release of those arrested. The Iran-backed organization said the material was intended for attacks against Israeli forces in Lebanon. The Jerusalem Post editorial argues the Lebanese government should reject that demand, stating that its security forces have taken a concrete step toward enforcing state authority. Returning the explosives would undermine their work and confirm Hezbollah's assumption that it can overrule them. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pressed President Joseph Aoun to retain the explosives, saying returning them should be "out of the question." The editorial notes that Lebanon has repeatedly said weapons should be held by the state alone, and in March the government specifically banned Hezbollah's military activities. It calls for an investigation, prosecution of those who violated Lebanese law, and safe destruction of the explosives. The piece also discusses a Lebanese military delegation expected to participate in US-hosted trilateral talks in Tampa, Florida, where Beirut plans to press for an end to Israeli attacks in Lebanon. The editorial concludes that supporting Lebanon to assert sovereignty over its borders is necessary, and that a single seizure cannot establish conditions for Israeli withdrawal but can demonstrate whether Lebanese authorities intend to enforce their decisions consistently.