Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Lebanon has laid the groundwork for a promising new beginning, despite the mounting challenges facing its recovery and reform efforts, and vowed to restore trust at home and abroad.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat before heading to Baghdad to lead Lebanon’s delegation to the Arab League summit, Salam said his government’s top priority is to rebuild trust, starting with restoring Lebanese citizens’ confidence in their state and institutions, and extending to regaining the faith of Arab nations and international partners in Lebanon’s potential to function as a fully sovereign and credible state.

“The Lebanese people deserve a full and functioning state, and our Arab brothers and international friends are eager to see us achieve that,” he said.

Salam said he would deliver “a message of promise and hope” to Arab leaders at the summit, sharing a vision of Lebanon’s return to the path of recovery. While acknowledging that the journey ahead remains “difficult and full of challenges,” he expressed confidence in what his government has managed to achieve in a short period of time, calling it a strong sign of what lies ahead.

The prime minister also highlighted practical measures taken to ensure Lebanon is ready to welcome visitors, including bolstered security at Beirut’s airport and surrounding areas, and improvements to public services to safeguard both travelers and residents.

“We’re going to the summit with a clear message: Lebanon has returned to the Arab fold and is committed to Arab and international legitimacy," he said.

Salam added that Lebanon is determined to restore ties that have been weakened and to align itself with the wave of development and modernization taking place in many Arab countries, especially in the Gulf.

“We are working with great dedication to place Lebanon back on the Arab and international map,” Salam said, called on Arab countries to embrace Lebanon under the banner of Arab solidarity and to assist the country in meeting its goals.

Lebanon is also seeking Arab backing to push for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory, he noted.

Salam said the political bloc of Hezbollah, which holds seats in Lebanon’s parliament, had endorsed the ministerial statement on which the government secured its vote of confidence. That statement includes a clear commitment to limit the possession of weapons to the Lebanese Army and to extend the State's authority over the entire territory, in line with the 1989 Taif Agreement.

“What the army is doing, from its deployment in the south and dismantling of military structures, to tightening border control with Syria and cracking down on smuggling, as well as reinforcing security at the airport, is a clear demonstration of this effort,” he said.

He insisted there would be “no turning back” on the State’s exclusive right to bear arms.

“Only the Lebanese State will have the final say on decisions of war and peace,” he affirmed. “It alone is responsible for defending the land and all Lebanese citizens, using all legal and internationally recognized means.”

Salam reiterated that the Lebanese State is committed to securing a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory and to preventing all violations. He also said the government is actively mobilizing resources and partnerships to launch a reconstruction initiative.

Turning to regional developments, Salam praised Saudi Arabia for its leadership in the Arab world and its growing international role. He said the visit of U.S. President Donald Trump to the Kingdom marked a major turning point in the region and praised Riyadh’s success in helping lift sanctions on Syria, calling it a “significant regional milestone.”

Salam also expressed appreciation to Iraq for hosting the Arab League summit and wished it success in its leadership of the Arab economic development summit. He thanked the Iraqi government for its support of Lebanon, particularly in the energy sector.