The “Reform and Rescue” government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has secured a vote of confidence in Parliament with 95 votes in favor, while four MPs abstained from voting.

The confidence vote followed two days of deliberations on the ministerial statement, which took place over four consecutive morning and evening sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday.

At the conclusion of the discussions, Prime Minister Salam addressed Parliament, reaffirming his government’s commitment to the Lebanese people.

“We will work to strengthen your confidence and that of all citizens,” he stated.

Salam underscored the unity of his government, affirming that its actions would reflect this cohesion.

“Yes, we are a united government, and we will affirm this through our conduct. We will adopt the language of dialogue and prioritize the supreme national interest in the process of reform and state-building. When we say we ‘want’ something, it is not mere wishful thinking—it is a commitment. That is why we used the phrase ‘the government commits’ in our ministerial statement and employed the term ‘we want’ when referring to our plans for the State,” he explained.

Clarifying the nature of the ministerial statement, Salam noted that it does not detail specific policies but rather outlines the government’s general objectives and vision. He assured MPs that various executive plans would be developed across different sectors and that the government would be held accountable for their implementation.

Addressing the process of government formation, Salam emphasized that the decree establishing his cabinet was issued in agreement with the President of the Republic.

“I did not adhere to the criteria that some wanted me to follow. It is important to emphasize that we do not operate under a parliamentary system—this government is not a parliament. It is time to return to the proper practice of governance, where there is an opposition and a supporting majority,” he stated.

He further reassured MPs that the government would actively participate in accountability sessions, reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and oversight.

Salam highlighted that one of the government’s top priorities is securing an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territories.

“Our stance is clear and unambiguous. From the moment this government was formed, even before appearing before you, we launched a diplomatic campaign and will continue working to rally Arab and international support to ensure Israel's complete withdrawal from our territories,” he asserted.

Salam responded to criticism that the government had not explicitly mentioned reforms in its ministerial statement, stating, “We clearly stated that the government is committed to the constitution, and fulfilling that commitment necessitates implementing what is outlined in the National Accord document.”

He outlined a series of political reforms that the government intends to pursue, including:

• Implementing expanded administrative decentralization.
• Forming a national commission to study the abolition of political sectarianism.
• Advancing toward a bicameral system.
• Reviewing the role, powers, and appointment process of the Constitutional Council.

Salam reaffirmed that the government’s primary mission is institutional reform and reconstruction.

“We will take on this responsibility regardless of the challenges. Within a few weeks, we will fill key vacancies, implementing a transparent mechanism that ensures proper evaluation and selection in tandem with appointments,” he announced.

The Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to accountability and oversight, vowing to activate public administrations, combat waste and bribery, improve the conditions of public employees and military personnel, and prepare new draft laws to enhance governance.

Salam stressed the urgency of addressing the issue of the displaced Syrians, stating that their return to their homeland would be a government priority.

“We will emphasize the need for a sustainable return plan and open dialogue with the Syrian authorities,” he noted.

Regarding the prison system, Salam called for swift intervention to address existing issues.

“The prison system requires urgent intervention based on distinguishing between convicted individuals and detainees, expediting trials, and ensuring prisoners’ rights. We will work to secure the continuity of judges’ incomes to improve their financial conditions,” he said.

The Prime Minister announced the government’s plan to accelerate the activation of René Moawad Airport, clarifying that it is not intended as a replacement for Beirut Airport. Additionally, he emphasized the government’s commitment to regional development, including improvements to the country’s ports.

Salam also acknowledged the environmental challenges facing Lebanon, noting that the ministerial statement did not detail these issues extensively. He stressed, however, that the waste crisis could not be addressed with temporary solutions. Furthermore, he pledged that the government would work to remove Lebanon from the grey list and prioritize the rights of depositors in financial matters.

Concluding his address, Salam urged MPs and the Lebanese people to assess the government based on its actions.

“Judge us based on our actions. We hope to earn your trust and that of all Lebanese citizens,” he declared.