Latest news with #GrandSerail
LBCI
a day ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Government sources to LBCI: Army committed to national principles, war decisions rest with the state
Sources at the Grand Serail told LBCI that the Lebanese Army is the party engaging in communications, reaffirming Lebanon's commitment to its national principles and its refusal to be drawn into any confrontation. The same sources emphasized that the government affirms that the decision to go to war or make peace lies solely in the hands of the state.
LBCI
16-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
PM Salam meets UN Truce Supervision delegation, reviews security in South Lebanon
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met on Friday at the Grand Serail with a delegation from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) in Lebanon, headed by Chief of Staff Major General Patrick Gauchat. The meeting included a discussion of the general situation and the latest security developments in South Lebanon.
L'Orient-Le Jour
08-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Salam from the Syrian border: Lebanese Army stands as nation's shield
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, on a tour in the Bekaa and the Baalbeck region at the Lebanese-Syrian border, praised Thursday the commitment of the Lebanese army, emphasizing that it constitutes "the bulwark of the nation and the symbol of sacrifice and loyalty in service of protecting it and its citizens." Nawaf Salam began his visit in Chaïbiya in the jurd (hinterland) of Baalbeck, before heading to the Bou Fares center, located on the border between the two countries, according to information published on the Grand Serail's X account. Salam accompanied on this tour by Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar, Public Works Minister Fayez Rassamny, and Army Chief of Staff General Hassane Aoudé. His visit was warmly welcomed by families, local clans, and dignitaries from the northern Bekaa, gathered for the occasion. They thanked the Prime Minister for what they described as a "promising initiative for the return of the state to the region," and raised several urgent issues, including the presence of Syrian refugees and migrants, the situation of 38 deserted border villages due to ongoing tensions, the need to demarcate the border, and the importance of a fair general amnesty law. Mohammad Nassereddine, speaking on behalf of the families, also called for the creation of a public transportation network in the area and a sustainable solution for managing the dam on the el-Assi (Orontes) River to prevent future water-related conflicts. On-site, the Prime Minister inspected the military and security arrangements deployed in the area to reinforce border surveillance, prevent infiltrations, and combat smuggling. He also chaired a meeting with Lebanese army soldiers stationed on the site, during which he was informed about the measures in place to protect the sovereignty of the national territory. In recent months, the Lebanese-Syrian border has experienced clashes between Shiite clans, considered close to Hezbollah, and the new Syrian authorities. The Lebanese army, on its part, has been deployed there to resolve issues related to the border's porosity and regularly conducts operations linked to combating smuggling and trafficking at the northern and eastern borders of Lebanon. Nawaf Salam visited Damascus last April 14, where he met with the new Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa to discuss security at the border.
LBCI
12-02-2025
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's PM Nawaf Salam pushes reforms, vows Resolution 1701 implementation, and rejects deposit write-offs: The details
In his first televised interview on "Télé Liban" from the Grand Serail, Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized that restoring citizens' trust is key to strengthening the state. He stressed that without reviving the banking sector, there would be no investments and, consequently, no deposits. To address this, he called for restructuring banks and rebuilding confidence in them, highlighting their role as a pillar of economic growth. He also underscored the need for serious efforts toward judicial independence. "Without an independent judiciary, there can be no protection for freedoms, no guarantee for people's rights, and no investments," Salam said. "Restoring trust in the state must begin with judicial independence, as it is the intersection between necessary financial and economic reforms and political reforms. This can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent judicial authority." He further noted: "That is why I wanted to call this government the 'government of reform and recovery.'" Salam stressed the importance of completing the reforms outlined in the Taif Agreement, warning that delays in implementing administrative decentralization had pushed some toward federalism. He also criticized the fear-mongering surrounding the formation of a national body to abolish political sectarianism. He called for safeguarding and interpreting the Constitution away from political disputes, emphasizing the need to move beyond majority-minority politics. "There are pressing priorities. Citizens deserve 24-hour electricity, and forming the regulatory authority is long overdue," he said. "We must start appointing regulatory bodies, filling administrative vacancies, and ensuring fair recruitment through the Civil Service Council." "Oversight institutions must be activated, and clear, transparent mechanisms must be adopted for appointments," he added. Salam noted that the ministerial statement committee met on Tuesday to outline responses to Lebanon's challenges. "The primary challenge remains the Israeli occupation and reconstruction efforts," he said, reaffirming the country's commitment to implementing U.N. Resolution 1701 and ceasefire agreements. "We want the Israeli withdrawal to take place on February 16, not the 18th, and we are mobilizing all diplomatic and political efforts to achieve this sooner." The Lebanese prime minister also affirmed that Lebanon is harnessing all diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel while fully adhering to its commitments under Resolution 1701. "We are fulfilling our role by deploying the army and seriously implementing Resolution 1701. The monitoring mechanism is in place and functioning, and we are not falling short in meeting our obligations," he stressed. "Our goal is to ensure that the Israeli withdrawal from the south happens sooner rather than later." Salam acknowledged the sense of optimism following the election of President Joseph Aoun, his inauguration speech, and the formation of the new government. However, he cautioned that the government is still in its early stages. "Such a short time is not enough to erase public distrust," he stated. "People must give us time before holding us accountable for implementation. I am confident that we will deliver. What matters most is staying true to the aspirations of the people, especially the youth." On security matters, Salam addressed the issue of arms in areas north and south of the Litani River and across Lebanon, reiterating that the Lebanese state must exert full sovereignty over all its territory, as outlined in the Taif Agreement, which predates Resolution 1701. "South of the Litani River is a demilitarized zone. Our past maneuvering on this issue has come at a heavy price, particularly for the people of the south, whose villages were destroyed," he declared, reaffirming the government's commitment to reconstruction. Addressing economic concerns, Salam rejected any discussion of deposit write-offs. "What we want to eliminate is talk of deposit write-offs," he noted, adding that the ministerial statement would address deposit security as a priority.
