Lebanon Tactical: Cabinet session on Hezbollah disarmament slated at Baabda Presidential Palace at 15:00 on August 5; maintain heightened vigilance

Aug 2025

9:11 UTC

The Cabinet session to discuss and form a proposal for Hezbollah’s disarmament is slated at 15:00 (local time) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, located approximately four km northeast of Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, on August 5.
During the evening hours on August 4, a motorcade of Hezbollah supporters traveled through Beirut’s southern suburbs to protest the slated Cabinet session and reject calls to disarm.

Source: NNA

The upcoming Cabinet session comes amid mounting international and pressure, especially from the US, for the Lebanese government to formally commit to extending state sovereignty, creating a monopoly on arms, and disarming Hezbollah. In recent days, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem rejected calls to disarm as serving Israeli goals, while unconfirmed reports indicate that Hezbollah and Amal representatives will boycott the upcoming session. As indicated by the Hezbollah motorcade on August 4, this has likely emboldened supporters to rally on the streets in rejection of the proposal.
FORECAST: Given the sensitivity over this issue, tensions will remain elevated around the upcoming session. In this context, a bolstered security presence can be expected around the Presidential Palace in Baabda, and potentially near other government sites in Beirut due to the potential for pro-Hezbollah rallies. These are more likely to materialize if the government files a motion advancing Hezbollah’s disarmament. In such a scenario, protests are more likely to remain concentrated in and near the group’s southern stronghold of Dahiyeh, located two km northeast of the airport. However, demonstrations could materialize in more central areas and scuffles cannot be ruled out, especially if protesters are deemed to be behaving in an unruly manner. This may cause traffic disruptions in the city.

Those operating or residing in Beirut on August 5 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and allot for disruptions near the Baabda Presidential Palace from the afternoon hours due to the slated Cabinet session.
Avoid all travel to Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Dahiyeh suburb and remain cognizant of the potential for protests in other areas of Beirut. Avoid the vicinity of such gatherings, should they materialize, due to the potential for associated unrest.
Those intending to travel to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport during the afternoon and evening hours on August 5 are advised to allot extra time for travel due to the potential for traffic delays on thoroughfares in the area.

High

Baabda Presidential Palace, Beirut; Lebanon

Medium

Confirmed

The Cabinet session to discuss and form a proposal for Hezbollah’s disarmament is slated at 15:00 (local time) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, located approximately four km northeast of Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport, on August 5.
During the evening hours on August 4, a motorcade of Hezbollah supporters traveled through Beirut’s southern suburbs to protest the slated Cabinet session and reject calls to disarm.

Source: NNA

The upcoming Cabinet session comes amid mounting international and pressure, especially from the US, for the Lebanese government to formally commit to extending state sovereignty, creating a monopoly on arms, and disarming Hezbollah. In recent days, Hezbollah Secretary General Naim Qassem rejected calls to disarm as serving Israeli goals, while unconfirmed reports indicate that Hezbollah and Amal representatives will boycott the upcoming session. As indicated by the Hezbollah motorcade on August 4, this has likely emboldened supporters to rally on the streets in rejection of the proposal.
FORECAST: Given the sensitivity over this issue, tensions will remain elevated around the upcoming session. In this context, a bolstered security presence can be expected around the Presidential Palace in Baabda, and potentially near other government sites in Beirut due to the potential for pro-Hezbollah rallies. These are more likely to materialize if the government files a motion advancing Hezbollah’s disarmament. In such a scenario, protests are more likely to remain concentrated in and near the group’s southern stronghold of Dahiyeh, located two km northeast of the airport. However, demonstrations could materialize in more central areas and scuffles cannot be ruled out, especially if protesters are deemed to be behaving in an unruly manner. This may cause traffic disruptions in the city.

Those operating or residing in Beirut on August 5 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and allot for disruptions near the Baabda Presidential Palace from the afternoon hours due to the slated Cabinet session.
Avoid all travel to Hezbollah’s stronghold in the Dahiyeh suburb and remain cognizant of the potential for protests in other areas of Beirut. Avoid the vicinity of such gatherings, should they materialize, due to the potential for associated unrest.
Those intending to travel to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport during the afternoon and evening hours on August 5 are advised to allot extra time for travel due to the potential for traffic delays on thoroughfares in the area.