Lebanon's new president says only state should have weapons

Joseph Aoun, Lebanon's former army chief who was elected president on Thursday, said he would defend the “state’s right to exclusively carry weapons”.

“I promise to call for discussing a comprehensive defence strategy, as part of a national security strategy, on the diplomatic, economic and military levels to enable the Lebanese state - I repeat, the Lebanese state - to remove the Israeli occupation and deter its aggression,” Aoun said, in what appeared to a statement aimed at Hezbollah.

Hezbollah and Israel came to a ceasefire agreement in November after over a year of fighting.

Hezbollah, which deterred Israel's invasion in 2006, argues its military wing is necessary to protect the country from Israel.

Lebanon's army has avoided direct conflict with Israel throughout its history.