02-05-2025
Higher Defense Council Reaffirms National Security as Top Priority, Calls for Transparent Municipal Elections
Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Moustafa announced that President Joseph Aoun initiated the first meeting of the Supreme Defense Council since taking office with a brief overview of the Council's role and powers.
President Aoun emphasized the importance of reinforcing security and asserting state authority across all Lebanese territory—citing the National Accord Document, the presidential oath, and the government's policy statement as foundational references for these priorities.
The meeting, held at Baabda Palace, was chaired by President Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, relevant ministers, and top security and judicial officials.
Following the meeting, the Supreme Defense Council issued a recommendation to the Cabinet to formally warn the Hamas movement against 'using Lebanese territory for any actions that may compromise Lebanon's national security.'
'The strictest measures and procedures will be taken to put a definitive end to any act violating Lebanese sovereignty,' the Council stressed.
The Council also took note of plans by the judiciary to begin prosecutions early next week against those detained in connection with the rocket launches of March 22 and 28, 2025. It confirmed that all individuals found complicit, based on the ongoing investigations, will be prosecuted. In accordance with legal protocol, the Council's resolutions remain classified.
During the session, President Aoun reiterated the necessity of strengthening national stability and extending the state's control over all Lebanese territory, stressing the positive impact this would have across political, economic, and social levels.
بيان المجلس الأعلى للدفاع من بعبدا:
– بدعوة من رئيس الجمهورية، عَقَد المجلس الأعلى للدفاع اجتماعًا برئاسة الرئيس عون وحضور رئيس مجلس الوزراء، ووزراء: المالية، الدفاع الوطني، الاقتصاد والتجارة، الخارجية والمغتربين، العدل، والداخلية والبلديات.
– دُعي إلى الاجتماع كل من: مدعي عام…
— Lebanese Presidency (@LBpresidency) May 2, 2025
He also called on relevant ministries to ensure full readiness for the upcoming municipal and local elections. Aoun underscored the importance of conducting these elections with transparency, in a democratic spirit, and free from any form of influence or coercion.
'Municipal governance is fundamentally developmental. Candidates must compete democratically, and citizens must vote in line with their conscience and national duty,' he said.
Prime Minister Salam echoed the president's remarks, emphasizing the importance of holding this constitutional and democratic process after a nine-year delay. He reaffirmed the neutrality of the government and its institutions and expressed confidence in the professionalism of the electoral administration, which, he said, would reflect positively on the credibility of the process.
