Here are the Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet session, convened at the Grand Serail at the invitation of and attended by the Prime Minister, concluded at 7:00 PM. Subsequently, Minister of Information Paul Morcos provided official statements.

Morcos clarified that the session was held in the presence of the ministers, with the absence of the Foreign Minister. The study of the draft public budget was continued during the meeting. He noted that the Prime Minister began the session by discussing his visit to the United States and the United Nations, particularly the results of his meetings with the President of the World Bank and the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.

The Cabinet discussed a number of economic, financial, and administrative files, and approved a set of items and decisions.

In this context, the Council approved the project for converting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) into natural gas via a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) in the Deir Ammar area, based on a Public-Private Partnership model.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister presented the project for establishing the Supreme Council for Special Economic Zones and Technology Industries, which the Council approved.

The Cabinet also agreed on a decree project aimed at abolishing a number of positions within the staff of the Ministry of Public Health, as part of government reform measures related to the health sector.

Regarding cooperation with the Lebanese Army, Internal Security Forces, and the European Mission known as CSDP, the Cabinet approved the message to be sent by the Lebanese Government in this framework. Morcos explained that this specifically concerns logistical support and a technical logistical agreement, having no relation to international forces or the post-UNIFIL period, but rather complementing what is called the International Observers Committee. He added that this is a correspondence granting approval, and any subsequent correspondence resulting from it will be presented to the Cabinet according to proper procedures.

The Council also approved an amendment to the value of the daily attendance allowance for workplaces. The allowance payable by the employer to the employee for each day of attendance now equals the value of five liters of gasoline per day, not exceeding 800,000 Lebanese Pounds daily and not falling below 500,000 Lebanese Pounds. For calculating this value, the average official price of a canister of gasoline is used.

The Council also agreed on a bill project aiming to open an additional appropriation in the 2026 public budget worth 1,450 billion and 800 million Lebanese Pounds, dedicated to supporting public transport drivers for passenger transport for three months, due to rising fuel prices.

Additionally, the decree amending family allowances was signed, based on the Cabinet's approval dated February 16, with the amendment taking effect from March 1, 2026.

Under the amendment, allowances become 2,100,000 Lebanese Pounds for the wife or husband, and 1,160,000 Lebanese Pounds for each dependent child, provided that the total allowance for children does not exceed 5,800,000 Lebanese Pounds.

Starting October 1, 2026, the differences in family allowances due for the period extending from March 1 to September 30 will be paid monthly, concurrently with salary payments.

The Cabinet completed the study of the articles and provisions of the draft public budget law and approved them, to be formally sent to constitutional authorities for signature and referral to the Parliament within the specified constitutional deadlines.

Thus, the Government has respected, for the second consecutive year, the constitutional deadlines regarding the approval of the public budget.

In response to a question about the results of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's visit to the United States, Morcos said that the discussion during the session covered the results of the visit, which specifically addressed the issue of the post-UNIFIL phase, in addition to economic topics, where discussions were held with the IMF and the World Bank.

He added that the Minister of Finance provided an explanation regarding several techniques leading to this, expressing hope that the next phase would witness visits by these international institutions to Lebanon to continue discussions on the proposed files and projects.

In response to a question about some ministers' reservations regarding the budget project, Morcos said: "With regard to the budget project, a number of ministers recorded reservations and objections to some of its provisions, including the ministers of the Lebanese Forces. The Minister of Justice abstained, and there was also a reservation from the Minister of Health."

He indicated that a paper had been submitted by the Lebanese Forces ministers, which the ministers reviewed during the session. He clarified that not adopting all the demands contained therein was one of the main reasons that led to recording the objection, noting that each minister would individually explain the reasons that prompted them to record their objection or reservation.

Regarding holding a Cabinet session in the city of Nabatieh, Morcos said: "What I can say is that there will naturally be governmental visits to Nabatieh and the South in general, and there is noticeable effort to achieve results beneficial to the South."