The Higher Defense Council convened at Baabda Palace on Friday under the chairmanship of President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, and presence of Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, Minister of National Defense Yacoub Sarraf, Minister of Finance Ali Hassan Khalil, Minister of Interior and Municipalities Nouhad Mashnouk, Minister of Economy and Trade Raed Khoury, Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, General Security General Director Major General Abbas Ibrahim, Internal Security Forces Director, Major General Imad Othman, State Security General Director Tony Saliba, and other concerned security officials.

The Council broached the security situation in the country and a proposal included in the 2018 draft budget, which seeks to annul military measure No. 3, in addition to other issues that await appropriate decisions.

Meanwhile, all the HDC's decisions remain confidential in accordance with the law. 

The HDC's meeting was preceded by talks between President Aoun and PM Hariri, over the latest developments.