Lebanon’s Higher Defense Council convened Friday for the first time under the leadership of President Joseph Aoun, focusing on the country’s overall security situation and renewed efforts to reassert state authority across all regions.

The closed-door session was held at the presidential palace and chaired by Aoun. It brought together key government figures including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Finance Minister Yassine Jaber, Defense Minister Michel Menassa, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat, Foreign Minister Youssef Rajje, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, and Interior Minister Ahmad Al-Hajjar. High-ranking military and judicial officials were also present, such as Army Commander Gen. Rodolph Haykal, General Security Chief Maj. Gen. Hassan Choukair, Military Intelligence Director Brig. Gen. Antoine Kahwaji, the Public Prosecutor, and the Government Commissioner to the Military Court.

The Higher Defense Council serves as Lebanon’s top security body, tasked with coordinating national defense policy and managing the country's response to both internal unrest and external threats. Friday’s meeting, held behind closed doors in accordance with legal protocols, aimed to assess the current security climate and adopt necessary measures. All decisions made during the session remain classified under Lebanese law.

President Aoun opened the meeting by stressing the importance of safeguarding national stability and enforcing full state sovereignty, arguing that a secure environment would have a positive ripple effect on Lebanon’s economic, political, and social sectors. He anchored his position in the principles of the Taif Agreement, his inaugural address, and the government’s ministerial platform.

Turning to the upcoming municipal elections, Aoun urged the relevant ministries to step up preparations to ensure transparency, fair competition, and electoral integrity. He emphasized that voters must be free to make their choices without coercion, framing local elections as a developmental exercise rather than a political one. Reaffirming his neutrality toward all candidates, Aoun said the government’s role—along with that of security institutions—should be limited to logistical support and security oversight. He called on public prosecutors to swiftly address any electoral violations, especially breaches of electoral law.

Prime Minister Salam echoed the president’s remarks, calling the long-delayed elections a vital step for democratic accountability. He pledged the government would remain neutral and expressed confidence in the process, which he said would enhance trust in public institutions.

Interior Minister Al-Hajjar provided an update on logistics and security preparations, assuring the Council of ongoing coordination efforts to ensure smooth execution of the vote.

The Council issued formal directives to uphold the democratic nature of the elections and emphasized the need for absolute institutional neutrality.

Amid increasing instability in neighboring Syria, the Council also assessed the potential security fallout for Lebanon. President Aoun stressed the importance of preventing any spillover from the Syrian conflict that could destabilize Lebanon or worsen the country’s already strained refugee crisis.

Military and security leaders delivered detailed briefings on the internal security landscape, paying particular attention to recent rocket fire launched from Lebanese territory toward Israel. Several suspects had been apprehended, with legal proceedings underway. President Aoun underscored that Lebanon must not become a launchpad for regional destabilization. While reiterating Lebanon’s support for the Palestinian cause, he made it clear that dragging Lebanon into external conflicts would not be tolerated.

Prime Minister Salam followed up by reiterating the State’s exclusive right to bear arms, a core tenet of the Taif Agreement and the government’s official stance. He warned that no non-state actor, including Hamas, would be allowed to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty or security. While affirming support for the Palestinian right to self-determination in line with international law and the Arab Peace Initiative, Salam said defending Lebanese territory must remain the government’s top priority.

At the end of its deliberations, the Higher Defense Council recommended that the Cabinet formally issue a warning to Hamas, making it clear that any attempts to use Lebanese territory for hostile operations would prompt strict countermeasures. The Council emphasized its commitment to protecting Lebanon’s sovereignty through all legal and security channels.

It was also announced that judicial proceedings against individuals involved in the March 22 and 28 rocket attacks would begin early next week. Authorities confirmed that investigations are ongoing and that further indictments are expected as more evidence is gathered.