Lebanon’s Cabinet convened on Thursday at the presidential palace under the chairmanship of President Joseph Aoun, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Cabinet ministers, and Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal in attendance. The session addressed several critical issues, including military developments in the south, judicial appointments, and key economic reforms.

Following the session, Information Minister Paul Morcos announced that the Cabinet had approved the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate, reaffirming Lebanon’s commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

President Aoun briefed ministers on his recent visit to Qatar, calling his meeting with Emir Tamim “excellent.” He noted that Qatar had reaffirmed its support for the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and expressed its intention to increase investments in Lebanon. Aoun also emphasized that international donors remain committed to supporting Lebanon’s reform agenda. He praised the government’s progress on banking sector legislation, particularly following the endorsement of two reform-oriented draft laws.

Prime Minister Salam, for his part, reiterated the need for immediate action on long-delayed judicial appointments. He also shared details of his recent visit to Syria, where he discussed cross-border security cooperation, efforts to curb smuggling, and the status of Lebanese nationals believed to be detained in Syrian prisons. Salam confirmed that he had asked Syrian authorities for information related to the 2020 Beirut port explosion.

Army Commander General Haykal provided a security briefing on the situation in southern Lebanon, highlighting the army’s intensified operations and its ongoing adherence to Resolution 1701. He emphasized that the LAF remains committed to its mandate, despite mounting security and logistical challenges. Haykal noted that repeated Israeli violations were hindering the army’s deployment efforts along the border.

The general outlined the scale of military activity, reporting that the army had conducted over 3,000 independent operations to seize weapons and reinforce positions, in addition to more than 2,500 joint operations carried out in cooperation with UNIFIL. He added that the army had assumed control of several former Palestinian positions both north and south of the Litani River.

“The army will continue to fulfill its duties without shortcoming,” Haykal was quoted as saying. “However, it needs substantial support, especially given the escalating threats and the aggressive posture of the Israeli military.”

The Cabinet also discussed technical procedures for the safe disposal of military ammunition, with Morcos noting that strict standards would be adhered to in the destruction process.

Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar confirmed that municipal elections in southern areas affected by the recent conflict would be held in newly established polling centers, designed specifically for this purpose.

The session was preceded by a private meeting between President Aoun and Prime Minister Salam, during which they reviewed recent political and security developments.