Al-Hajjar: We Are Working to Consolidate State Authority and Strengthen the Role of Its Legitimate Institutions

Minister of Interior and Municipalities Ahmad Al-Hajjar confirmed that his recent visit to Pakistan was positive, noting that relations between the two countries had involved discussions on several joint security and judicial matters, alongside Pakistan’s reaffirmation of its support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Army.

Al-Hajjar explained in an interview with «Sar al-Waqt» that his acquaintance with Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi dates back to the Hajj season in Mecca, where Naqvi informed him at the time that Lebanon would be included in a memorandum of understanding between the two countries, and invited him to visit Pakistan.

Al-Hajjar stated that Lebanon "welcomes every effort leading to its exit from the crisis it is enduring," highlighting that the south remains occupied, while a parallel negotiation track continues through trilateral talks.

He noted that Pakistani officials reiterated their support for Lebanon and its army during his visit, disclosing the existence of cooperation between the interior ministries of both countries in combating drugs.

He added that the Council of Ministers tasked him, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, with signing a prisoner exchange agreement between Lebanon and Pakistan, as part of expanding bilateral cooperation in security and judicial affairs.

Al-Hajjar affirmed that President Joseph Aoun conveyed positive sentiments from the preparatory conference dedicated to supporting the Lebanese Army, expressing hope that these sentiments will translate into tangible outcomes during the upcoming conference.

In political matters, Al-Hajjar stressed that MPs have the right to fulfill their role in holding the government accountable, emphasizing that the key is securing the confidence of the Parliament. He affirmed that a proper democratic path requires every government to either gain or lose the confidence of the parliamentary body, not have its fate determined by the streets.

On the issue of Hezbollah’s weapons, Al-Hajjar said he supports resolving the matter of exclusive state control over arms, but distinguished between political resolution and resorting to force, stressing that maintaining internal unity is a priority, and that an internal confrontation must be avoided.

He affirmed that the path toward exclusive state control over arms will continue, within the framework of efforts to consolidate state authority and strengthen the role of its legitimate institutions.