Lebanese Member of Parliament Ashraf Rifi, a former justice minister, has praised the signature of a “framework agreement” with Israel, saying Lebanon was finally “acting like a state,” Al Jazeera reports.

“The notion that a state within a state protects Lebanon has fallen, and with it the illusion that illegal weapons create security or restore rights,” he said – a reference to Hezbollah’s military dominance over the country.

“This is a historic moment for Lebanon,” he continued, according to state-run NNA news agency. “It is no longer acceptable for Lebanese decision-making to remain hostage to the Iranian project, or for Hezbollah to continue its dominance over the state and its institutions.”