The Lebanese military will begin implementing its plan to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, the government said on Friday following a cabinet meeting, amid opposition from the group and its allies.

The cabinet discussed the plan on Friday despite a walkout by Shiite ministers in protest at the proposals.

In August, the Lebanese government ordered the military to draw up plans to disarm the once-dominant militant group by the end of the year, having come under pressure from the United States and Israeli strikes.

In a statement after Friday's meeting, information minister Paul Morcos said that Beirut welcomed the army's proposed measures "to extend the state's authority through its own forces and to restrict the possession of weapons to legitimate authorities".

Responding to questions from j

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