Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received at the Grand Serail, a delegation from Lebanon’s Press Syndicate, led by its Dean Aouni Kaaki.
The discussion reportedly touched on media issues and the country’s general situation.
During the meeting, Premier Salam presented the government's positions on several key issues.
On the issue of arms control, Premier Salam emphasized: "Our government did not create the decision to extend the state’s authority over all its territory. This decision has been in place since 1989, i.e., since the Taif Agreement. Today, we are working on implementing it, and it was underlined in President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech and in the ministerial statement. Today, what’s clear and tangible is that the Lebanese state has regained the decision of war and peace."
Premier Salam added: "The text of the cessation of hostilities agreement, which was approved by the previous government and to which we have affirmed our commitment, clearly identifies the sides authorized to bear arms, namely: the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Customs, and the Municipal Police exclusively.”
Salam continued: “We worked on developing a swift implementation mechanism for many reasons, and on August 5, we decided to task the Lebanese Army with implementing the plan, away from any interference or pressure, as some claim. We welcomed the army's plan, and this welcoming is a positive approval. Some details of the plan have been leaked, including deadlines, for example the three months for the complete confiscation of weapons south of the Litani, in addition to containing weapons within the same period by prohibiting their use or transfer from one place to another. The Army Command will submit monthly reports to the Cabinet on implementation.”
On the US presidential Envoy Tom Barrack’s Paper, Premier Salam said: "The government agreed to the objectives of the Barrack Paper, not the paper itself, as being rumored. Any talk about additional conditions is a misinformation, because the objectives of the paper are clear and were read out by the Minister of Information, clause by clause, at the conclusion of the meeting. I challenge any Lebanese to oppose any of these objectives, whether cessation of hostilities, full Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, or the return of prisoners. These are among the objectives of the Barrack Paper."
He added, "In my last meeting with Ambassador Barrack, I emphasized the need to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five occupied points, release prisoners, and cease hostilities. This is what we have been underlining daily."
On the subject of investment and economic recovery, Premier Salam stressed that security and stability in the country are essential for achieving economic recovery and attracting investments.
"It is clear today that investment, reconstruction, and economic recovery are difficult to be achieved without stability, security, and safety in the country. This is one of the reasons that led me to believe in the need to move forward with restricting the possession of weapons to the state without any delay."
The discussion reportedly touched on media issues and the country’s general situation.
During the meeting, Premier Salam presented the government's positions on several key issues.
On the issue of arms control, Premier Salam emphasized: "Our government did not create the decision to extend the state’s authority over all its territory. This decision has been in place since 1989, i.e., since the Taif Agreement. Today, we are working on implementing it, and it was underlined in President Joseph Aoun’s inaugural speech and in the ministerial statement. Today, what’s clear and tangible is that the Lebanese state has regained the decision of war and peace."
Premier Salam added: "The text of the cessation of hostilities agreement, which was approved by the previous government and to which we have affirmed our commitment, clearly identifies the sides authorized to bear arms, namely: the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Customs, and the Municipal Police exclusively.”
Salam continued: “We worked on developing a swift implementation mechanism for many reasons, and on August 5, we decided to task the Lebanese Army with implementing the plan, away from any interference or pressure, as some claim. We welcomed the army's plan, and this welcoming is a positive approval. Some details of the plan have been leaked, including deadlines, for example the three months for the complete confiscation of weapons south of the Litani, in addition to containing weapons within the same period by prohibiting their use or transfer from one place to another. The Army Command will submit monthly reports to the Cabinet on implementation.”
On the US presidential Envoy Tom Barrack’s Paper, Premier Salam said: "The government agreed to the objectives of the Barrack Paper, not the paper itself, as being rumored. Any talk about additional conditions is a misinformation, because the objectives of the paper are clear and were read out by the Minister of Information, clause by clause, at the conclusion of the meeting. I challenge any Lebanese to oppose any of these objectives, whether cessation of hostilities, full Israeli withdrawal, reconstruction, or the return of prisoners. These are among the objectives of the Barrack Paper."
He added, "In my last meeting with Ambassador Barrack, I emphasized the need to pressure Israel to withdraw from the five occupied points, release prisoners, and cease hostilities. This is what we have been underlining daily."
On the subject of investment and economic recovery, Premier Salam stressed that security and stability in the country are essential for achieving economic recovery and attracting investments.
"It is clear today that investment, reconstruction, and economic recovery are difficult to be achieved without stability, security, and safety in the country. This is one of the reasons that led me to believe in the need to move forward with restricting the possession of weapons to the state without any delay."
