BEIRUT: Six Lebanese army soldiers were killed and others wounded in an explosion while inspecting a weapons depot in Majdal Zoun and Wadi Zibqin, Tyre.
The victims include four members from the 5th Infantry Brigade and two from the Engineering Regiment.
The Lebanese army is dismantling and detonating weapons and ammunition confiscated south of the Litani River, in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel and UN Resolution 1701.
Most of the ammunition belongs to Hezbollah, and according to a military source, the incident occurred in a Hezbollah facility.
President Joseph Aoun held a phone call with Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal, during which he was briefed on the circumstances of the incident.
The Presidential Palaceâs media office stated that âthe incident occurred when ammunition exploded in an army engineering regiment unit as its members were working to remove and dismantle it.â
In an official statement, Aoun expressed âdeep sadness over the martyrdom of the soldiers,â offering âhis condolences to their families and the armyâ and wishing the injured âa speedy recovery.â
Aoun said: âThe country has lost today a group of its finest men, who sacrificed their pure souls in defense of Lebanonâs territory and sovereignty.
âThey demonstrated that the Lebanese army remains the countryâs protective shield and the faithful guardian of its borders.
âI affirm that their martyrdom is not the end, but a beacon of hope that lights the way for future generations and reminds them that only significant sacrifices can protect the nationâs freedom.â
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam mourned âwith deep sadness the army martyrs who died in the south while carrying out their national duty.â
He affirmed that âour army is the nationâs stabilizing force, the bastion of sovereignty, the protector of unity, and the guardian of legitimate institutions.â
The incident follows the Lebanese governmentâs decision to restore state control over arms and execute the objectives of the US plan regarding the enforcement mechanism.
The decision is publicly opposed by Hezbollah, which refuses to hand over its weapons without any guarantees that Israel will fulfill the required provisions.
On Friday night, the Lebanese army pursued groups of bikers who attempted to block the airport road in an effort to enter Beirutâs neighborhoods, following calls on social media to stage random demonstrations in support of Hezbollah and its weapons.
Footage was shared showing army members pursuing bikers to prevent them from engaging in acts of unrest.
In a statement shared on Saturday, the Lebanese Army Command said: âIn light of the exceptional challenges facing Lebanon currently, particularly the continued Israeli violations of Lebanese sovereignty and the sensitive security situation, there have been calls on social media for protests, accompanied by old and manipulated videos aimed at inciting unrest among citizens.â
The army command warned âcitizens against engaging in actions with unpredictable consequences that could destabilize the country.â
It added: âThe army, while affirming its respect for the peaceful expression of opinions, will not tolerate any breach of security, disruption of civil peace, road blockades, or attacks on public and private property.â
The army called on all citizens and political factions to âact responsibly during this difficult period,â emphasizing the importance of âunity and solidarity to overcome the dangers facing our country.â
