Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has said the government will take full control of the Beirut Governorate, which includes the capital, and restrict arms to state forces only, Al Jazeera reports.

In a post on X, Salam added that the move was intended to “safeguard the safety, security, and property of citizens, issued on the ninth of this month, is irrevocable and will be strictly enforced”.

Critics say the Lebanese Armed Forces already control all areas of Beirut and that Hezbollah has no visible military presence in the capital.

Some of Salam’s opponents have argued that the government’s announcement that it would disarm Hezbollah in the capital could provide an excuse for Israel’s deadly attacks on Beirut.