Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called on Hezbollah and other political parties to hand over their weapons to the army, in a move opposed by the Iran-aligned group amid increasing US pressure to disarm, Al Mayadeen reported on July 31.

Aoun said in a televised speech from the Defence Ministry headquarters that it was the duty of all political parties to "seize the historic opportunity and push without hesitation to affirm the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army and security forces, and no one else."

Hezbollah, which emerged severely damaged from its war with Israel last year, said calls to disarm the group serve only Israel's interests.

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on July 30 that "everyone who demands the surrender of weapons is demanding the surrender of weapons to Israel... We will not accept that Lebanon becomes an appendage to Israel."

Five informed sources told Reuters that the United States is pressuring Lebanon to issue an official government decision committing to disarming Hezbollah before resuming talks on halting Israeli military operations in the country.

Aoun explained that a proposal to Washington will be presented to the Council of Ministers next week stipulating that Israel must stop its attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from positions it occupies in the south of the country, alongside Hezbollah handing over its weapons to the Lebanese army.

The proposal aims to secure $1bn annually over 10 years to support the army and security forces, and includes plans to hold an international conference later in the year to support Lebanon's reconstruction efforts.

The Lebanese President's call represents a significant challenge to Hezbollah's long-standing position that its weapons are necessary to defend Lebanon against Israeli threats.

US pressure for Hezbollah's disarmament comes as part of broader efforts to strengthen Lebanese state institutions and reduce Iranian influence in the country.