The Lebanese government welcomed a plan presented by the army on Friday to disarm Hezbollah, the country’s most formidable military force, in an unprecedented move that risks sparking internal conflict.

Lebanon is under pressure from the U.S., Saudi Arabia and Hezbollah's domestic rivals to disarm the group. But Hezbollah has pushed back, saying it would be a serious misstep to even discuss disarmament while Israel continues its air strikes on Lebanon and occupies swathes of territory in the south.

Lebanon’s plan to disarm Hezbollah hit political resistance as ministers walked out of a cabinet session, raising doubts over the army’s phased arms collection effort. Lebanon is facing new hurdles in collecting weapons from Hezbollah.