Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said from Davos, in an interview with Bloomberg, that he held a series of important meetings with international partners, including the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the President of the World Bank Group, adding that he was scheduled to meet IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva later in the day.
Salam said his message in Middle East–focused sessions was clear: Lebanon is steadily and gradually regaining the confidence of the international community. He explained that the government’s policy rests on two pillars: rebuilding state institutions through reforms, starting with, but not limited to, financial reforms, and restoring the state’s monopoly over arms.
Salam noted that, for the first time since 1969, the Lebanese state has full operational control over the area south of the Litani River, with the second phase of the plan now extending northward.
Salam described the situation in the south as a "war of attrition," citing near-daily Israeli attacks and continued occupation of five points, stressing ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure full Israeli withdrawal. He said Lebanon remains engaged positively with the International Monetary Fund, aiming to reach a program despite proposed amendments to draft legislation.
On elections, Salam reaffirmed that the government will oversee them with full neutrality, pledging not to run and requiring any minister who seeks candidacy to resign, in order to ensure elections are held on time and with maximum impartiality.
Salam said his message in Middle East–focused sessions was clear: Lebanon is steadily and gradually regaining the confidence of the international community. He explained that the government’s policy rests on two pillars: rebuilding state institutions through reforms, starting with, but not limited to, financial reforms, and restoring the state’s monopoly over arms.
Salam noted that, for the first time since 1969, the Lebanese state has full operational control over the area south of the Litani River, with the second phase of the plan now extending northward.
Salam described the situation in the south as a "war of attrition," citing near-daily Israeli attacks and continued occupation of five points, stressing ongoing diplomatic efforts to ensure full Israeli withdrawal. He said Lebanon remains engaged positively with the International Monetary Fund, aiming to reach a program despite proposed amendments to draft legislation.
On elections, Salam reaffirmed that the government will oversee them with full neutrality, pledging not to run and requiring any minister who seeks candidacy to resign, in order to ensure elections are held on time and with maximum impartiality.
