Here Are the Outcomes of the Cabinet Meeting

Minister of Information Bassel Merhej provided the following official information after the session ended around 7:30 p.m.:

The Council of Ministers held its weekly session at the Grand Serail, chaired by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with the attendance of the ministers, absent being the Minister of Social Affairs and the Minister of Justice.

At the beginning of the session, the President emphasized the necessity for all ministries to conduct a comprehensive review of all submitted files, including requests for issuing implementing texts required due to existing laws needing such texts, as well as examining and providing opinions on draft legislation, parliamentary questions, and inquiries.

Discussion also took place on ways to facilitate and accelerate file transfers, correspondence, and inter-ministerial transactions, based on the President’s request.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Administrative Development was asked to return to the Council of Ministers with a study on the criteria to be followed regarding allowances and compensations received by chairpersons and members of boards of directors in regulatory bodies, state-owned enterprises, and public institutions.

Additionally, following approval from the Higher Council for Privatization and Partnership, and at the request of the Prime Minister as Chairman of this council, the Council approved launching the investment project in the Northern Free Economic Zone, with the investor—landholder—bearing all costs for a period between 25 and 30 years, without any financial burden on the state, and instead receiving a share of profits.

In appointments, Engineer Naseeb Nassar was appointed Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Lebanese Electricity Company, a non-executive position, while Engineer Kamal Hayek remains General Manager, following the separation of the two roles.

Similarly, in the Higher Council for Privatization and Partnership, Ms. Joseline Jbour was appointed Secretary-General. At the Educational Research and Development Center, Professor Hayam Issaqq was appointed Director.

Furthermore, the Minister of Finance presented the efforts made by ministries that led to an agreement with representatives of the public sector on the salary increases they will receive.

The Council of Ministers approved that the upcoming budget, which we hope to pass, include these increases—totaling six salaries—paid as follows: three salaries at the beginning of 2027, and three additional ones at the end of August, with the necessary appropriations reserved in the 2027 budget.

In addition, the Council continued reviewing items in the general budget and will continue discussions in its next session.

Questions

Responding to a question, Minister Merhej stated: "Government work will remain effective, sessions will continue consecutively, and the agenda will always be filled with achievements expected from and carried out by the government."

On the European mission, he said: "Yes, indeed, misconceptions surrounding this matter have been clarified. It is a technical mission with a logistical objective, as explained, and falls within an ongoing European Union program. It has no relation to UNIFIL and does not aim to replace it. This item has been postponed to allow for further responses from the relevant ministries.

Regarding another question, he said: "The budget is under preparation and requires another session, scheduled at the beginning of the month to approve it, God willing.

On the salary increases, he added: "The necessary budget allocations have been secured, and naturally, the budget figures have been re-evaluated in light of these increases."

Minister of Health

After the session, Minister of Health Rakan Nasr al-Din stated:

There is a large number of Lebanese detainees and forcibly disappeared individuals held in Israeli prisons, and this issue must be addressed responsibly.

Today, we raised this topic in the Council of Ministers, and discussed the report from the National Lebanese Human Rights Committee, which prepared a report and submitted it to both the Council of Ministers and the Deputy Prime Minister.

What is needed today is to task the Lebanese Ambassador in Geneva so that this issue appears on the agenda of the United Nations Human Rights Council for follow-up. We raised this matter in the Council, and Deputy Prime Minister Tariq Metri has been assigned to follow up with our ambassador abroad.

We will continue pursuing this issue, as it represents a legitimate human rights concern in this difficult time.

Responding to a question: No, we are always active, but now we have an official document from the National Human Rights Committee, and this matter must be pursued and presented as a Lebanese human rights issue concerning Lebanese detainees, forcibly disappeared, and missing persons in Israeli prisons.