Latest news with #NationalAccordDocument
Al Manar
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Manar
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.
National News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
Foreign Minister Rajji in Cairo stresses Lebanon's commitment to full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, underlines Arab solidarity
NNA - In his delivered speech at the 163rd session of the Arab League Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Cairo, Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raji, affirmed that "the new Lebanese government is pursuing a clear policy based on asserting the State's sovereignty over all its territory, ensuring its exclusive control over weapons and its sole authority over the decision of war and peace, as well as adhering to the National Pact, the National Accord Document, and genuine power-sharing among the components of the Lebanese society, which strengthens national unity and effective participation." Addressing the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon, Minister Rajji stressed that while Lebanon has fully adhered to the terms of the cessation of hostilities declaration, Israel insists on undermining this agreement and continuing its daily violations of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Rajji affirmed 'Lebanon's commitment to peaceful and diplomatic solutions and to the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, with all its provisions and clauses," emphasizing that "the legitimate Lebanese security institutions, especially the Lebanese Army, are determined to carry out these national tasks." The Minister also called on "the international community to pressure Israel to halt its attacks, compel it to immediately, fully, and unconditionally withdraw from all Lebanese territory, and return to the 1949 armistice agreement." Rajji reiterated Lebanon's "constant support for the Palestinian people and their just cause in establishing their independent state, and Lebanon's rejection of their displacement and resettlement in another country." The Foreign Minister also affirmed "Lebanon's rejection of any foreign interference in its internal affairs," emphasizing the adoption of a policy of positive neutrality and mutual respect for Arab sovereignty and joint Arab interests. Rajji also emphasized the importance of building strategic partnerships with Arab States and preventing any attempts to undermine their sovereignty. Minister Rajji expressed "the Lebanese state's readiness to cooperate with the Syrian Arab Republic to ensure the return the displaced persons, control the borders, and address all other standing issues between the two countries, most notably the issue of missing persons."
Arab News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
We want a state that can protect its people, Lebanese PM tells parliament
BEIRUT: Lebanon's Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told the country's parliament on Tuesday that his government 'seeks a state that fully assumes responsibility for the country's security and defends its borders and frontiers.' He emphasized the need for a state that 'deters aggressors, protects its citizens, fortifies independence, and mobilizes the Arab community and other nations to safeguard Lebanon.' Salam reaffirmed the government's 'commitment to its obligations, particularly regarding the complete implementation of Resolution 1701, without any omissions or selective adherence.' The prime minister said: 'The government is committed, under the National Accord Document ratified in Taif, to take all necessary measures to liberate all Lebanese territories from the Israeli occupation and assert the state's sovereignty over all its territories, exclusively through its forces, and deploy the army in the internationally recognized Lebanese border areas.' At the same time, he underscored 'Lebanon's right to self-defense in the event of any aggression, following the UN charter, and to implement the provisions outlined in the presidential oath regarding the state's responsibility to monopolize the use of force.' Salam continued: 'We want a state that has the power to decide war and peace, a state whose army has a defensive combat doctrine that protects the people and fights any war in accordance with the provisions of the constitution.' The prime minister highlighted 'the need to rebuild what the Israeli enemy destroyed,' pledging 'to mobilize support and allocate funding through a dedicated, transparent reconstruction fund that demonstrates the state's support for the people, ensuring they feel included and not discriminated against.' He emphasized that 'defending Lebanon requires a national security strategy on the military, diplomatic and economic levels.' Salam said: 'The government must empower the legitimate armed forces by increasing their numbers, equipping and training them, and improving their conditions, which strengthens their capabilities to confront any aggression, secure the borders to the south, north, east and sea, prevent smuggling, and combat terrorism. 'We want a state that upholds the constitution and the National Reconciliation Accord we endorsed in the Taif Agreement. This commitment requires the implementation of the remaining provisions of this accord that have yet to be carried out.' Salam said: 'The rise of the state necessitates a foreign policy that neutralizes Lebanon from the conflict of axes, which contributes to restoring its international and Arab status, and secures the support of our brotherly and friendly capitals and Arab and international organizations.' He stressed that 'Lebanon must not be used as a platform to attack our brotherly Arab countries and friendly nations.' Regarding Lebanese-Syrian relations, Salam said Lebanon 'has an opportunity to initiate a serious dialogue with the Syrian Arab Republic. 'This dialogue aims to ensure the sovereignty and independence of both nations, regulate and demarcate their borders, and prevent interference in each other's internal affairs. 'It also aims to address the issue of Syrian refugees, whose continued presence could have existential consequences for Lebanon unless they return to their homeland.' Salam also expressed Lebanon's opposition to 'the localization and displacement of Palestinians. 'We reiterate their right to return to their homes per Resolution 194 and to establish an independent state on their land as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative adopted at the Beirut Arab League Summit in 2002,' he said. Salam underlined the Lebanese state's right 'to exercise full authority over its territory, including Palestinian refugee camps, while ensuring the protection of the dignity and human rights of Palestinian refugees residing in Lebanon.' He stated his commitment 'to pursuing a sound policy aimed at increasing revenues, maintaining solvency margin and thus, ensuring financial stability." This, he said, requires tax collection and reform, customs reform, as well as 'combatting waste, illegal economy and smuggling.' Salam announced that his government intends to negotiate a new program with the International Monetary Fund to address financial defaults and public debt. 'The government is committed to boosting the economy, which will involve restructuring the banking sector to stimulate economic growth. Our primary care will be directed toward deposits, and we will develop an integrated plan following the highest international standards to preserve the depositors' rights,' he said. Salam expressed hope that parliament would pass the necessary legislation to support these goals. More than 75 MPs requested the opportunity to comment on the ministerial statement, based on which Salam's government is expected to obtain a vote of confidence. In the first session, Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc announced through its head, Mohammed Raad, its agreement to give the government a vote of confidence. Free Patriotic Movement MP Gebran Bassil, formerly allied with Hezbollah, announced that he would not give the government his vote of confidence despite agreeing with its statement 'regarding Resolution 1701, the liberation of the land, the state's exclusive rights to arms, and the authority to decide on war and peace.' In a clear stance, he called for 'disarming Palestinian camps,' stressing that 'there is no justification for the continued presence of any Syrian refugee in Lebanon.'
LBCI
17-02-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Ministerial statement anchored in National Accord and UN Charter
The ministerial statement will be primarily based on the National Accord Document – Taif Agreement, particularly its third clause concerning the liberation of Lebanon from Israeli occupation. It also draws on the principles of the United Nations Charter.
