Parliament reconvened on Tuesday afternoon to resume discussions on the government’s general policy agenda, following a break announced by Speaker Nabih Berri earlier in the day.
The morning session had opened at 11 AM in the presence of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, cabinet ministers and MPs. Although the session was largely calm and orderly, a brief dispute erupted between Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab and other lawmakers during Berri’s absence.
Key parliamentary interventions centered on pressing issues, including the security situation, the exclusive possession of weapons by the state, the US-backed policy paper on Lebanon, implementation of UN Resolution 1701, the return of Syrian refugees and the recovery of depositors’ funds. Several MPs also raised concerns about the public sector and called for fair treatment of government employees.
MP Samy Gemayel, the head of the Kataeb Party, reignited calls for a national roadmap focused on disarmament, reconciliation, justice and political reform. He questioned the viability of dialogue in a country where one political faction possesses a military arsenal, saying, “How can we talk without fear in the presence of a team that holds a tool of intimidation, namely weapons?”
Gemayel held Hezbollah directly accountable for Lebanon’s ongoing crises, claiming its military power obstructs both state-building and international support. “You bear direct responsibility,” he told Hezbollah MPs.
Echoing similar sentiments, MP Michel Daher urged Hezbollah to adopt a “clear and responsible” stance on its weapons, warning against dragging the country into further instability.
MP Pierre Bou Assi of the Strong Republic bloc accused the state of abandoning its sovereign duties, stressing that “sovereignty is not à la carte” and demanding immediate action on border demarcation and disarmament.
MP Marwan Hamadeh called for a nationally driven process to hand over weapons and criticized sectarianism in public appointments. He also asserted that matters such as diplomatic communication should transcend constitutional power-sharing mechanisms.
For his part, MP Bilal Houchaymi condemned recent armed displays in Beirut, asserting that “a homeland cannot be protected through chaos or threats.” He emphasized that confronting Israeli aggression should remain the responsibility of the state, not armed groups.
Earlier, Strong Republic MP George Adwan expressed frustration with the government’s failure to assert full state authority. “The Lebanese hoped for a shift from a statelet within a state to a sovereign nation,” he said. “But that transformation has yet to begin.”
MP Abdel Rahman Bizri stressed the complexity of national security and demanded transparency regarding international proposals, particularly the paper relating to Resolution 1701.
Meanwhile, MP Michel Moawad told Prime Minister Salam that his government must rise above past failures and “put Lebanon back on the map.”
MP Bilal Abdallah of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) linked sovereignty with social dignity and renewed calls for social justice and fair compensation for public sector employees.
MP Adib Abdel Massih echoed the demand for a nationwide disarmament policy, insisting that the monopoly of arms by the state is the cornerstone of national stability.
Comments