Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rahi in Bkerke.
Speaking after the meeting, Salam described his encounter with Pope Francis as “important and fruitful,” expressing hope for “positive outcomes from the Pope’s upcoming visit to Lebanon.”
Salam reaffirmed that “the parliamentary elections will take place on their constitutional date. The government is working on this basis, and the matter is not open for discussion.” Salam added that “a ministerial committee has been formed to review the implementation of the electoral law, as there are certain gaps and ambiguities that fall strictly within the legislative domain, beyond the government’s authority.”
Commenting on security concerns and the issue of arms control, he stated: “A decision has been made, and the army has submitted a plan for implementation. Within a week, we expect an updated report from the Army Commander. There will be no retreat from the decision to confine weapons to the state.”
Salam also condemned Israel’s escalating attacks, saying Lebanon is “working intensively through established mechanisms and diplomatic channels to halt Israeli violations and ensure full respect for the cessation of hostilities.” He revealed that “serious steps have been taken regarding weapons inside Palestinian camps, where more than twenty truckloads of heavy arms have been surrendered, a process that remains ongoing.”
Speaking after the meeting, Salam described his encounter with Pope Francis as “important and fruitful,” expressing hope for “positive outcomes from the Pope’s upcoming visit to Lebanon.”
Salam reaffirmed that “the parliamentary elections will take place on their constitutional date. The government is working on this basis, and the matter is not open for discussion.” Salam added that “a ministerial committee has been formed to review the implementation of the electoral law, as there are certain gaps and ambiguities that fall strictly within the legislative domain, beyond the government’s authority.”
Commenting on security concerns and the issue of arms control, he stated: “A decision has been made, and the army has submitted a plan for implementation. Within a week, we expect an updated report from the Army Commander. There will be no retreat from the decision to confine weapons to the state.”
Salam also condemned Israel’s escalating attacks, saying Lebanon is “working intensively through established mechanisms and diplomatic channels to halt Israeli violations and ensure full respect for the cessation of hostilities.” He revealed that “serious steps have been taken regarding weapons inside Palestinian camps, where more than twenty truckloads of heavy arms have been surrendered, a process that remains ongoing.”
