Lebanese Prime Minister: No Stability Without State Authority Over Entire Territory

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam affirmed on Sunday that achieving stability in Lebanon requires the state to extend its authority over its entire territory, even if gradually, relying exclusively on its own capacities. He stressed the necessity of vesting the decision on war and peace solely in the state and its constitutional institutions.

In a statement, Salam said he held phone calls with Army Chief General Rodolphe Haykal and the Director General of Internal Security Forces, Major General Raad Abdullah, praising the enhanced deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces in Greater Beirut over the past two days.

He clarified that this deployment aims to reassure citizens and affirm that the state and its security apparatus are working to protect their safety and well-being, particularly following nighttime gatherings in the capital that had raised public concerns about their potential repercussions.

He noted that he held a meeting with Justice Minister Adil Nassar and the General Prosecutor of Appeal, Rami Hajj, to follow up on measures taken to expand investigations into the explosives seized in the Dahr al-Bider area and the subsequent developments.

He stressed the need to arrest all individuals involved in the possession or transport of weapons outside the legal framework and refer them to the competent judiciary for accountability.

Salam called on all parties to prioritize national interests over any other considerations and to avoid linking Lebanon’s interests to external objectives or interests, reiterating that the decision on war and peace must remain exclusively with the state and its constitutional institutions.

The Lebanese Army had announced on Saturday the implementation of security measures in Beirut and the southern suburbs, including mechanized and foot patrols and the establishment of temporary checkpoints, aimed at tracking wanted individuals and those undermining security.