Lebanon's government has endorsed Hezbollah's right to keep its weapons for defense against Israel.
The decision is written into a policy statement released Wednesday by the new government of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri.
Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, recently reaffirmed the group's intention to continue building its weapons arsenal to defend the country against Israel.
Hezbollah fought a month-long war with Israel in 2006. The fighting ended with a United Nations-brokered cease-fire.
The Shi'ite group is supported by Iran and Syria, and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries.
Its members have been assigned to key posts in the new Lebanese Cabinet, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
