Cabinet Rejects Katz Remarks on Israeli Presence, Reviews South Lebanon Destruction and Reform Laws
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired a Cabinet session at the Grand Serail on Thursday afternoon, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri and ministers Yassine Jaber, Ghassan Salameh, Joe Saddi, Laura Khazen, Haneen Al-Sayyed, Youssef Raggi, Amer Bisat, Kamal Shehadi, Ahmad al-Hajjar, Adel Nassar, Charles Hage, Nora Bayrakdarian, Joe Issa Khoury, Fadi Makki, Mohammad Haidar, Fayez Rasamny, Nizar Hani, Paul Morcos, Tamara Zein and Rakan Nassereddine.
Presidency Director General Antoine Choucair and Cabinet Secretary General Judge Mahmoud Makieh also attended.
Following the session, which ended at around 5:30 pm, Information Minister Paul Morcos delivered the official briefing, noting the absence of Defense Minister Michel Menassa and Education and Higher Education Minister Rima Karami.
Morcos said Salam opened the session by raising four issues.
The first concerned what the prime minister described as the systematic destruction of villages in southern Lebanon by the Israeli occupation. Salam reiterated that such actions constituted violations of the laws of war and the Geneva Convention.
The second concerned remarks by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz that Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon, Gaza and Syria. Salam rejected the statements in their entirety, adding that the US administration had done well to respond by saying they were inconsistent with the trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel and the United States.
The third issue concerned the Cabinet decision adopted at its previous session setting the basis for negotiations with Solidere over a possible extension of the company’s duration. Salam said he had informed Solidere of the decision and stressed that the ministerial committee headed by Mitri should begin negotiations as soon as the company’s response is received.
Salam also welcomed Parliament’s adoption of several laws falling within the reform framework set out in the government’s ministerial statement.
He praised the abolition of the death penalty, saying it affirmed that justice protects society without discrimination and strengthened Lebanon’s adherence to international human rights standards.
Salam also highlighted the general amnesty law, describing it as nationally significant because it helps address injustices affecting certain detainees and convicts while easing severe prison overcrowding that is incompatible with human dignity, although he acknowledged that the law was not ideal.
He also welcomed Parliament’s adoption of the new media law after years of waiting.
Addressing Menassa’s absence from Thursday’s Cabinet session, Salam said it would not last long and described the defense minister as a friend for whom I have every affection, respect and appreciation, adding that Menassa, like himself, was committed to the Constitution and Cabinet solidarity.
Salam denied reports that he had asked Menassa not to enter the parliamentary chamber or participate in the legislative session.
He said constitutional provisions were clear that the prime minister represents the government and speaks on its behalf, adding that once he informed Menassa of this, there was no longer any need for further remarks by ministers.
Salam also rejected claims that the Army’s position on the general amnesty law had been excluded, calling them false. He said a written memorandum had been submitted to Parliament with his approval and that the Army’s position had also been presented before parliamentary committees through the defense minister.
Let no one outbid us in our commitment to the Army and our loyalty to its honorable martyrs, Salam said, pointing to government efforts to secure support and equipment for the military, raise the salaries of its personnel and officers, and preserve its morale and dignity.
He added that his concern remained to prevent any interpretation suggesting that the Army was a party to an internal Lebanese dispute or in conflict with any Lebanese side.
It is the Army of all Lebanon, Salam said, calling on those who genuinely care about the military institution to stop what he described as cheap political one-upmanship.
He concluded: I reiterate that we are one government, not 24 governments, and that all of us are committed to the principle of Cabinet solidarity and to the Constitution in full.
Cabinet then proceeded to examine its regular agenda, including several items deferred from its August 7 session, and approved most of them.
Asked about the next Cabinet meeting, Morcos said no sessions would be held over the following two weeks. He added that a session devoted to environmental issues, along with other regular meetings, would be held at the beginning of the next period.
Morcos also apologized for the absence of the education minister, noting that the relevant matter had not been discussed in her absence.
He confirmed that Decree No. 3214 had been approved as amended.
