The Lebanese Cabinet convened Thursday at the Grand Serail despite a boycott by ministers from the Hezbollah-Amal duo, with Minister Fadi Makki being the only Shiite minister attending the session. The meeting took place against the backdrop of heightened political tensions following the government’s decision to expel the Iranian ambassador, though the issue was not formally discussed during the session.

Addressing reporters following the Cabinet session, Information Minister Paul Morcos said the Cabinet meeting was attended by most ministers, noting the absence of the ministers of finance, public health, environment and labor. He added that the session’s agenda was limited to a single item focusing on the displacement crisis and the broader repercussions of ongoing Israeli attacks.

“The discussion covered the impact of displacement and Israeli strikes across multiple sectors, including shelter, humanitarian relief, social, economic, financial, and, above all, military aspects,” Morcos said, summarizing the deliberations.

In his opening remarks during the session, PM Nawaf Salam warned of what he described as escalating Israeli threats in southern Lebanon, pointing out to Israel's signaled intentions to take control of areas south of the Litani River, with some officials suggesting possible annexation.

He accused Israel of destroying most bridges along the Litani River in an effort to isolate the region from the rest of the country, alongside what he described as a campaign of mass displacement affecting towns and villages in the south. He added that the destruction of homes—sometimes entirely leveling them—appeared aimed at preventing residents from returning in the near future.

“These actions, whether described as a security belt or buffer zone, pose a serious threat to Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the rights of its citizens,” Salam said, adding that such measures violate international law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter.

Salam said he had instructed the foreign minister to immediately file a complaint with the U.N. Security Council and would personally contact the U.N. secretary-general following the session.

The prime minister also addressed regional developments, expressing concern over reports of a newly uncovered militant cell in Kuwait that allegedly included two Hezbollah members, according to Kuwaiti authorities.

“What harms Kuwait harms Lebanon,” Salam said, reaffirming the strong and longstanding ties between the two countries. He praised the Lebanese community in Kuwait for its respect for local laws and its contribution to the country’s economy, and said he had contacted Kuwait’s prime minister to convey Lebanon’s condemnation of the incident and its full solidarity.

Salam further pointed to what he described as a shift in Iranian military activity, citing data indicating that the majority of recent missile and drone attacks had been directed at Gulf states and other regional countries rather than Israel. He said 83% of such attacks had targeted Gulf countries, as well as Jordan, Turkey and Azerbaijan, compared with 17% aimed at Israel.

He warned that some of these strikes had hit critical infrastructure and civilian sites, calling it a “dangerous escalation.” While noting that Gulf states had effectively defended their territories, Salam said Lebanon could not remain silent while its Arab partners faced repeated attacks, adding that he had reached out and would continue to contact regional leaders to express solidarity.

Turning to the internal displacement crisis, Salam described displaced Lebanese as “victims of a war imposed on us,” stressing that they had neither chosen nor participated in the conflict.

“This is, in every sense, a war of others fought on our soil, and Lebanon has no interest in it whatsoever,” he said.

Salam also sought to reassure the public, particularly in Beirut, announcing new security measures in the capital, including an increased deployment of army and security patrols.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Justice Minister Adel Nassar criticized the Shiite ministers' boycott, calling it “completely unjustified given the circumstances we’re facing.”

“The fact that Amal and Hezbollah are sitting this out right now is simply unacceptable,” he said.

Minister for the Displaced Kamal Shehadeh stressed the unity behind the decision.

“The move to expel the Iranian ambassador was made in full coordination with both the President and the Prime Minister, and there’s no going back on it,” he said firmly.

Industry Minister Joe Issa al-Khoury reinforced the point.

“This decision is final. There’s no question of reversing it. Nobody here is trying to defend Iran,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Nizar Hani acknowledged that the ambassador’s expulsion dominated the Cabinet agenda but insisted the government remains stable.

“The Cabinet has a number of proposals to consider, but the ambassador issue was front and center. There’s no threat to the government’s stability,” he said.

Tourism Minister Laura Lahoud voiced her support, underlining Lebanon’s need to assert its sovereignty.

“I strongly oppose Iran meddling in Lebanon’s affairs. The government had to make this clear to Tehran,” she said.