Following his meeting with Patriarch Bechara Rai in Bkerke, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed key national issues, reaffirming the government's commitment to reforms, political stability and the preservation of Lebanon's sovereignty.
Salam described Bkerke as a significant national reference for Lebanon, expressing pride in the government's achievements, particularly in advancing reforms. “I presented to His Beatitude the government’s progress, especially in the mechanism of appointments and the acceleration of work on the reform bills,” Salam said.
He also shared the outcomes of his discussions with Patriarch Rai, highlighting the government's determination to hold municipal elections on time, a stance Salam emphasized as non-negotiable. “The municipal elections must be held on time, and this is not open to debate,” he affirmed. Salam noted that Beirut’s political balance, grounded in equality, must be preserved. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri regarding solutions to ensure parity in Beirut, including the proposal to adopt closed electoral lists for Beirut and other large cities.
On the issue of weapons and state authority, Salam reaffirmed the government's commitment to the Taif Agreement and its provisions regarding the extension of state authority and the monopoly on weapons. “The ministerial statement clearly emphasizes that the exclusivity of weapons belongs to the state, and all ministers are committed to this principle. The matter of war and peace is within the state's jurisdiction, and everyone is committed to this stance,” he said.
Salam revealed that he had tasked the relevant ministers, particularly the Minister of Defense, with reporting on the progress made in consolidating state authority and ensuring the state's monopoly on arms.
Touching on the ongoing investigation into the Beirut port explosion, Salam underscored the importance of judicial independence. “We must allow the judiciary to reach a conclusion in the port explosion file without interference. I do not know when the indictment will be issued,” he stated.
Finally, the Prime Minister addressed Lebanon’s stance on regional security, particularly regarding Israel’s withdrawal from disputed territories. “Israel must fully withdraw from the five points as outlined in UN Resolution 1701. We are working to implement this resolution, and I have not received any threat regarding the possibility of war,” Salam concluded.
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