BEIRUT: Lebanon’s Parliament renewed confidence in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government on Wednesday after a heated two-day debate that exposed continuing divisions over Hezbollah, weapons and the country’s security situation.
Sixty-eight lawmakers voted in favour of the government, while 12 opposed it and two abstained, according to official statements and recordings of the parliamentary proceedings.
Hezbollah lawmakers withdrew before the confidence vote, signalling opposition without formally voting against the government. Meanwhile, lawmakers from the allied Amal Movement supported Salam, although Amal official Qablan Qablan said he was granting confidence “with regret.”
Lebanese journalist Youssef Diab told Al Hadath that he viewed Hezbollah’s withdrawal as an attempt to avoid demonstrating its inability to block the government. That interpretation remains his assessment of the group’s decision.
Hezbollah Faces Heated Criticism During Parliamentary Debate
Salam highlighted economic and financial reforms, the 2027 budget, reconstruction in southern Lebanon, Israeli withdrawal and the government’s stated objective of establishing a state monopoly over weapons.
However, debate intensified when lawmakers discussed Hezbollah’s military role.
Independent MP Michael Moawad accused Hezbollah of drawing Lebanon into wars and argued that its refusal to disarm weakened state authority. MP Ziad Hawat made similar accusations, prompting objections from Hezbollah lawmakers.
Lawmakers Question Hezbollah Over Weapons and Southern Lebanon
Furthermore, independent MP Paula Yakoubian questioned why Hezbollah had not transferred areas in southern Lebanon without an Israeli presence to the Lebanese Armed Forces.
She also urged Hezbollah to provide Lebanese negotiators with information about its weapons, arguing that doing so could support negotiations over Israeli withdrawal and displaced residents.
The parliamentary exchanges highlighted persistent disagreements over Hezbollah’s armed role, the authority of Lebanon’s government and responsibility for the continuing confrontation with Israel.
