News- Middle East: A Lebanese lawmaker from the political wing of Hezbollah says those calling for disarmament of the resistance movement are serving the Zionist regime’s interests and helping advance its expansionist agenda.

Hassan Ezzedine, a member of Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc, on Saturday emphasized that Hezbollah’s weapons are necessary for defending Lebanon’s national sovereignty, calling the arms a strong guarantor of the Arab nation’s security.

Ezzedine stated that the Lebanese army has enjoyed benefits from the capabilities of the resistance in confronting Takfiri militant groups, noting that the terrorist outfits pose an existential threat to Lebanon and are a tool to create a security crisis in the region.

“The calls for disarmament of Hezbollah constitute a dangerous attempt to deprive Lebanon of the ability to defend itself. The equation is clear: Disarmament means a new ground invasion. This invasion falls within the framework of the Zionist regime's expansionist intentions. This is what happened in Syria,” the Lebanese legislator stated.

Ezzedine also emphasized that weapons are not simply a trust in the hands of Hezbollah's leadership, but rather a trust in the hands of the majority of Lebanese people.

The Lebanese nation is not willing to see the disarmament of Hezbollah, as its weapons safeguard Lebanon's unity and sovereignty, the Lebanese lawmaker pointed out.

In light of considerable losses experienced over nearly 14 months of warfare and the inability to fulfill its objectives in the offensive against Lebanon, Israel had no choice but to accept a ceasefire with the Hezbollah resistance movement, which came into effect on November 27.

Since that time, Israeli forces have been conducting assaults on Lebanon, which include airstrikes, thereby violating the ceasefire.

On January 27, Lebanon declared its decision to prolong the ceasefire with Israel until February 18.

Nonetheless, Israel persists in its occupation of five key areas in southern Lebanon, specifically Labbouneh, Mount Blat, Owayda Hill, Aaziyyeh, and Hammamis Hill, all located in proximity to the border.

Despite near-daily Israeli airstrikes and repeated violations of Lebanese airspace and sovereignty, Hezbollah remains the only credible military force capable of confronting the occupation and preventing further Israeli incursions.

As calls to disarm the Lebanese resistance group grow louder from Washington and Israel, many in the Arab nation argue that such efforts ignore the core issue of Israel’s continued violations of Lebanese sovereignty.

Source: Press TV