Geagea demands removal of 'illegal arms' from Nabatieh to secure ceasefire

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea expressed deep concern Wednesday that Nabatieh could face the same fate as Ali al-Taher and Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon, calling on state authorities to strictly enforce decisions outlawing Hezbollah’s military and security wings.

Geagea urged the government to act firmly by expelling all illegal gunmen from Nabatieh and dismantling non-state military infrastructure to help secure a ceasefire in and around the southern city.

"The Lebanese Army must not merely deploy (in Nabatieh)," Geagea said. "It must dismantle all illegal military and security structures within its operational zones and enforce its exclusive authority, in line with decisions taken by the Lebanese government."

A total of 27 people were killed and 69 others wounded in the Nabatieh region from the weekend into Monday.