Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed that “Lebanon is a democratic country, and differing views on the electoral law are normal.”
After meeting Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi in Bkerke, he added: “The parliamentary elections will be held on their constitutional date, and as a government we are working on that basis. This is non-negotiable.” He continued, “We formed a small parliamentary committee to review the implementation of the electoral law. There are gaps and ambiguities, and this is purely a legislative matter beyond the government’s authority.” He noted that “Parliament must act quickly so that we can hold the elections. We placed Minister Youssef Raggi’s draft law, along with another related to the magnetic voting card, on the agenda. Discussions have begun, and we decided to settle the matter next week.”
Responding to a question from MTV about security concerns related to weapons control, Salam said: “A decision has been made. The army has presented a plan for implementation, and within less than a week we will receive a new report from the Army Commander. There will be no retreat from limiting weapons to the state.”
Salam pointed out that “we are witnessing an Israeli escalation, and we are working with all our effort through the mechanism and through our Arab and international relations to mobilize all capabilities to stop Israeli violations and return to the agreement to halt hostile operations.”
He emphasized that “serious steps have been taken regarding weapons in Palestinian camps, with more than 20 truckloads of heavy weapons handed over. This is an ongoing process that has not yet been completed.”
Salam also said that “the meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was very important and beneficial, and we hope for positive results from his upcoming visit to Lebanon.”
After meeting Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi in Bkerke, he added: “The parliamentary elections will be held on their constitutional date, and as a government we are working on that basis. This is non-negotiable.” He continued, “We formed a small parliamentary committee to review the implementation of the electoral law. There are gaps and ambiguities, and this is purely a legislative matter beyond the government’s authority.” He noted that “Parliament must act quickly so that we can hold the elections. We placed Minister Youssef Raggi’s draft law, along with another related to the magnetic voting card, on the agenda. Discussions have begun, and we decided to settle the matter next week.”
Responding to a question from MTV about security concerns related to weapons control, Salam said: “A decision has been made. The army has presented a plan for implementation, and within less than a week we will receive a new report from the Army Commander. There will be no retreat from limiting weapons to the state.”
Salam pointed out that “we are witnessing an Israeli escalation, and we are working with all our effort through the mechanism and through our Arab and international relations to mobilize all capabilities to stop Israeli violations and return to the agreement to halt hostile operations.”
He emphasized that “serious steps have been taken regarding weapons in Palestinian camps, with more than 20 truckloads of heavy weapons handed over. This is an ongoing process that has not yet been completed.”
Salam also said that “the meeting with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was very important and beneficial, and we hope for positive results from his upcoming visit to Lebanon.”
