Health Minister Ghassan Hasbani said that "there are fabrications and attempts to mislead the public opinion on the issue of financial ceilings. Politically, there are arrows pointed at the performance of the Lebanese Forces ministers who have given an example of clean performance that should be applied across all ministries."

The minister stated in an interview that the Ministry of Health "was being targeted because of the positions of its minister and thus some files have been taken off the table of the Council of Ministers."

"I challenge any minister that may come to the Ministry of Health to provide hospitalization to all patients within the budget given to the Ministry. What is required is to raise the budget of the Ministry of Health," Hasbani said.

He disclosed that the financial prosecutor has listened to the testimonies of advisers on Tuesday, and found no crime, adding: "We do respect any judicial decision, but all the accusations against us have been proven groundless."

"Reform and development of health sector is our hobby, lying and misleading is theirs," he maintained in response to media accusations that targeted him.

Hasbani explained that "the role of the Minister is to ensure full transparency in the use of funds, and there is oversight by the World Bank on the international loans and gifts."

"Anyone who wants to handle the Ministry of Health should realize that all these funds will be disbursed under International monitoring."

Asked about the legislation on the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes, Hasbani said "the legislation of cannabis needs control both in agriculture and use. There are great health benefits and significant disadvantages at the same time, so it needs clear boundaries, (...) applied practically on the ground."