Prime Minister Nawaf Salam on Tuesday urged Arab media to place truth above partisanship, warning of the dangers posed by disinformation and sectarian narratives.

“In respecting and protecting freedoms, we must also call for a media that puts the truth above all else and resists the pull of rumors,” Salam said in his speech at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai. “Both the judiciary and the media face a growing challenge in the pursuit of truth, hindered by sectarian ideologies and partisan influence.”

Salam warned that the rise of digital technology and widespread internet access has increased public exposure to false information.

“With more than 75% of people owning mobile phones, 60% connected to the internet, and 85% receiving news from social media, most of which is false, we are facing a serious threat,” he said, framing the summit as “a strategic forum for defending the word and the truth.”

Speaking on behalf of a country that has endured decades of wars and crises, the Lebanese premier said Lebanon was determined to restore its sovereignty and reestablish itself as a state governed by institutions rather than the dominance of armed groups.

“We are seeking to liberate ourselves from the duality of arms that has long controlled decision-making in the country. We want a Lebanon built on institutional strength, not conflicts,” he declared. “We envision a Lebanon that embraces both its Arab and international identities, and that remains open to the West and the Arab world alike.”

Salam extended gratitude to the United Arab Emirates and its President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, whom he praised for fulfilling his promise to allow Emirati citizens to return to Lebanon after years of diplomatic cooling.

“Lebanon’s battle today is a battle for awareness,” Salam said. “The media is a partner in restoring trust, and a partner in rebuilding the nation.”

He closed his address with a clear message: “Lebanon tells you: we are returning to our state, to our Arab identity, and to the future.”