Marqos: Salam Confirmed He Did Not Ask Minassé to Avoid the Session

Prime Minister Najib Salam presided over a cabinet session at the presidential palace, attended by: Ministers of Finance Yasin Jabber, Culture Ghassan Salama, Energy and Water Jou al-Sadi, Tourism Laura Khazenn, Social Affairs Hinnin al-Sayyed, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Joseph Rji, Economy and Trade Amer al-Bassat, Displaced Persons and Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Kamil Shehadeh, Interior and Municipalities Colonel Ahmad al-Hajjar, Justice Adel Nassar, Telecommunications Charbel Hajj, Youth and Sports Nora Berkeparian, Industry Jou Issa al-Khouri, Administrative Development Affairs Fadi Maki, Labor Muhammad Haydar, Public Works and Transport Fayez Rasamni, Agriculture Nizar Hanna, Information Attorney Boulos Marqos, Environment Tamarah Zain, and Public Health Rakkaan Nassar Din. The General Director of the Presidency Antoine Chakir and the Secretary-General of the Cabinet Judge Mahmoud Makiyyeh also attended.

After the session ended around 5:30 PM, Marqos stated the following:

"A cabinet session was held at the Grand Serail under the presidency of His Excellency Prime Minister Najib Salam, with the attendance of the honorable ministers, absent the Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Higher Education and Education.

"At the beginning of the session, His Excellency President raised four topics. The first concerns the systematic destruction of villages in the south carried out by the Israeli occupation, which he reiterated constitutes a violation of war laws and the Geneva Convention. The second topic: He referred to what Israeli Defense Minister Katz said about the continued presence of Israeli occupation forces in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, and stated this is categorically unacceptable. His Excellency added that the American administration acted wisely when responding to this statement, considering it incompatible with the trilateral framework between Lebanon, Israel, and the United States.

The third topic raised by His Excellency was the importance of the decision adopted by the cabinet in its previous session regarding establishing the foundations for negotiations with 'Soleider' on extending its mandate. His Excellency informed Soleider of the content of this decision and emphasized the importance of the ministerial committee chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister commencing negotiations immediately upon receiving Soleider's response. As for the fourth topic, His Excellency highlighted the adoption of several laws in the Parliament, falling within the reform framework outlined in the government statement. These laws specifically include the law abolishing the death penalty, as it affirms that justice protects society without discrimination, while strengthening Lebanon’s commitment to international human rights standards, particularly fundamental human rights principles.

The second law mentioned by His Excellency is the general amnesty law, due to its significant national importance, as it helps alleviate the injustice suffered by certain groups of detainees and convicts, and reduces the severe overcrowding in prisons, which is incompatible with human dignity. Although this law is not perfect, His Excellency added. Regarding the third law, His Excellency noted the long-awaited adoption of the new media law.

His Excellency also spoke about the absence of His Excellency the Minister of National Defense from today’s cabinet session, stating his absence would not be prolonged, and that he holds him in deep affection, respect, and esteem. He stressed that both he and the Minister are committed to the Constitution and ministerial solidarity. His Excellency clarified that he did not request the Minister of National Defense to refrain from entering the parliamentary chamber or participating in the session, and that such claims are untrue. He added that constitutional provisions are beyond dispute: the Prime Minister represents the government and speaks on its behalf. What occurred was that he communicated this directly to the Minister, making further remarks from other ministers unnecessary, said His Excellency. As for the claim that the army's opinion was excluded regarding the amnesty law, His Excellency added, this is a falsehood. A written memorandum on this matter was submitted after my approval to the Parliament, and the army’s position has been conveyed before parliamentary committees through His Excellency the Minister of National Defense.

His Excellency added that no one should boast about our dedication to the army and our loyalty to its martyrs. You are best aware of the efforts made by this government to secure support for the army, equip it, raise salaries for its personnel and officers, and preserve its morale and dignity. Out of our genuine concern for the army and its protection, His Excellency added, my priority—and remains—preventing any interpretation suggesting the army is a faction within Lebanon or opposed to any Lebanese party. It is the army of all Lebanon. Therefore, anyone genuinely concerned about the military institution, and we stand at the forefront, should cease cheap political posturing on this issue. In conclusion, the Prime Minister said: 'I reiterate that we are one government, not twenty-four governments, and we are all fully committed to the principle of ministerial solidarity and the Constitution in every detail.'

Subsequently, the cabinet proceeded to review its regular agenda items, many of which had been postponed from the 7/8/2026 session and were largely approved.

Questions

Responding to a question about when the next cabinet session will take place, Minister Marqos said: 'The cabinet will not hold sessions during the coming two weeks, and this has been agreed upon. A dedicated session on environmental matters, along with other regular sessions, will be scheduled at the beginning of the upcoming period, God willing.'

When asked about the absence of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Education, he said: 'I would also like to apologize for the Minister’s absence, as we did not discuss the matter in her absence.'

On being asked whether decree number 3214 was approved, he replied: 'Yes, decree number 3214 was approved.'

Asked if the amendment was adopted, he answered: 'Yes, the amendment was adopted.'

Regarding what the cabinet discussed concerning the Minister of National Defense and the army, he said: 'Everything I explained above was stated verbatim and repeated exactly as delivered to you.'