A handover ceremony took place Tuesday afternoon at the Interior Ministry between the outgoing minister, Bassam Mawlawi, and the new minister, Ahmad Hajjar, according to the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

"This ministry is now in good hands," Mawlawi said, emphasizing that his successor "knows this institution well."

"He is now the best suited to lead this ministry," he added.

Ahmad Hajjar then spoke.

"The challenges are many: Ensuring security, strengthening the state, organizing upcoming constitutional and democratic deadlines," the minister said, adding that the ministry will prepare for the upcoming municipal and legislative elections "according to the highest standards of transparency, guaranteeing the rights of candidates and voters while enforcing the law with rigor and fairness."

In April 2024, the Lebanese Parliament decided to postpone municipal elections scheduled for May due to violence in the south of the country between Hezbollah and Israel. This election was originally planned for 2022. The two previous postponements were attributed to the country's economic collapse.

Hajjar also said that his ministry "cares for the citizens and addresses their concerns while respecting human rights and human dignity."

"We will fight crime in all its forms with determination," he stated.

"We are committed to working tirelessly with the Internal Security Forces, General Security and the other directorates of the ministry to ensure the country's security and stability, in support of our army, in order to continue the liberation of the occupied territories in the south and to protect our people and cities throughout Lebanese territory."

Despite a cease-fire in effect since Nov. 27, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on Lebanon, and the Israeli army has not yet fully withdrawn from Lebanese territory, with its deadline to do so set for Feb. 18.