Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Thursday criticized what he described as “irresponsible” remarks recently made by Naim Qassem, the secretary-general of Hezbollah, and called for measures to prevent any military activity in Lebanon by members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Speaking after a three-hour Cabinet session, Information Minister Paul Morcos said Salam had reacted strongly to statements made by Qassem the previous night.

“What I heard last night stopped me in my tracks, and I cannot remain silent about it,” Salam was quoted as saying. “These were irresponsible remarks. The real wrongdoing was committed by those who dragged Lebanon into reckless adventures without considering their catastrophic consequences, in service of external interests.”

Salam also rejected accusations of treason directed at political opponents.

“Accusations of treason are not an act of courage,” he said. “True courage would require the person who made those statements to apologize.”

Morcos said Salam had also instructed ministries and government departments to take the necessary steps to prevent any military activity in Lebanon by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. The prime minister called for their arrest and deportation if such activities occur.

Salam further urged authorities to ensure that government decisions are fully implemented so that it cannot be said that official decisions remain merely “ink on paper.”

According to the official statement issued followin the session, the government issued two key resolutions aimed at safeguarding national security amid concerns over the presence of Iranian Revolutionary Guard personnel in the country.

In its first decision, the Cabinet cited “increasing information” regarding the presence of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Lebanese soil and their involvement in military and security operations. The government said the measures were necessary to protect Lebanon’s sovereignty, maintain public order, ensure the safety of citizens, and reaffirm the authority of the Lebanese State over its entire territory, while restricting weapons solely to legitimate authorities.

Following deliberations, the Cabinet instructed the relevant ministries and agencies— the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Interior, and all military and security forces—to issue directives to verify the presence of Iranian Revolutionary Guard members in Lebanon. Authorities were ordered to intervene decisively to prevent any military or security activity originating from Lebanese territory, regardless of the individuals’ status or the cover under which they operate, and to detain them under judicial supervision pending deportation.

The second Cabinet decision reinstates the requirement for Iranian nationals to obtain a visa before entering Lebanon. The move, aimed at tightening border controls and preventing any activity that could threaten national security or facilitate the use of Lebanese territory for external agendas, amends the first paragraph of Cabinet Decision No. 119, originally issued on September 7, 2011.