Lebanon’s parliament confirms confidence in Nawaf Salam’s government — Jerusalem Post
Lebanon’s parliament confirmed confidence in the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, with 68 lawmakers voting in favor. Twelve parliamentarians voted against, while two others abstained. Hezbollah lawmakers left the session and did not take part in the vote, demonstrating their disagreement with the government, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Split among Shiite lawmakers
The two-day debate was accompanied by heated disputes in the parliamentary chamber. Lawmakers from the Amal Movement, which is part of the Shiite political bloc, supported Salam’s government. Movement representative Kablan Kablan said that he was voting to express confidence with regret.
Lebanese journalist Youssef Diab, in an interview with Al Hadath, suggested that Hezbollah decided not to vote against the government but to leave the chamber in order to save face. In his view, the group’s inability to overturn the parliament’s decision would demonstrate its weakening.
Disputes over southern Lebanon
During his speech, Nawaf Salam spoke about financial and economic reforms, the state monopoly on weapons, the 2027 budget, the reconstruction of southern Lebanon, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the country. According to the publication, the issue of the withdrawal of Israeli forces caused the sharpest disputes and personal insults in parliament.
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Independent lawmaker Michel Moawad told Hezbollah representatives that the group’s defeats in wars lead to Israeli occupation. He also argued that Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm weakens the Lebanese state in the face of Israel.
Criticism of Hezbollah
Lawmaker Ziad Hawat accused Hezbollah of bringing the Israel Defense Forces back to Lebanon. Hezbollah lawmaker Hussein Jachi interrupted him and stated that some colleagues allegedly do not consider Israel an enemy.
Independent lawmaker Paula Yacoubian asked why Hezbollah does not hand over to the Lebanese army areas in the south of the country without an Israeli presence and does not provide Lebanese negotiators with a map of its weapons. Independent lawmaker Ibrahim Mneimneh stated that the group must acknowledge responsibility for the events that occurred.
