Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that he was determined to disarm Hezbollah, a step it has come under heavy US pressure to take, despite the group's protests that doing so would serve Israeli goals.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has reiterated calls for Hezbollah to disarm. He made the comments Thursday during a speech marking Army Day in Lebanon as pressure rises from the United States.

In the address, Aoun added that the country would seek $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and security forces in Lebanon. Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun said on Thursday that Lebanese political parties need to seize the opportunity and hand over their weapons sooner rather than later,