Lebanon’s Cabinet on Thursday endorsed the Army’s ongoing plan to consolidate State control over weapons nationwide, stressing that the initiative has completed an initial phase and will move ahead with its next stages.

Information Minister Paul Morcos said the Cabinet reviewed a detailed briefing by Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal on the implementation of the weapons control plan and praised “the efforts made to contain weapons both south and north of the Litani River,” emphasizing the need to continue executing the strategy.

Speaking after the Cabinet session, Morcos said the Army Command will draw up a separate plan to begin withdrawing weapons north of the Litani, which will be presented to the Cabinet in February.

“We remain fully committed to the army’s plan and to reinforcing the extension of State authority across all Lebanese territory,” Morcos said.

The Cabinet meeting was held at Baabda Palace under the chairmanship of President Joseph Aoun, with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, ministers, and the army commander in attendance. Haykal presented what Morcos described as the military’s fourth report on completing the implementation of the government’s decision to place all weapons exclusively under State control.

Morcos said the Cabinet approved most of the 38 items on its agenda and is continuing to follow up on issues related to the public sector and teachers, adding that dedicated sessions will be held to address those files.

He also conveyed President Aoun’s congratulations to ministers for what he described as tangible achievements so far, quoting the president as urging them to maintain the same momentum “because the entire world is counting on us.”

Morcos further relayed Aoun’s assurance that Lebanon “will not be used as a launching ground for any operations against Syria.”

Alongside security matters, the Cabinet discussed energy-related issues, as Lebanon is set to sign a gas exploration agreement with a consortium comprising QatarEnergy, France’s TotalEnergies and Italy’s Eni to carry out offshore activities in Block 8.

Ministers also reviewed a request from the Ministry of Finance seeking approval of a draft law to close the state’s general budget accounts and related annexed budgets for 2021, in addition to a series of agreements, draft decrees, administrative appointments and civil service matters, as well as routine and urgent items, ahead of taking the necessary decisions.