
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam received by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh on June 2, 2025. Photo taken from the Parliament's Flickr account.
BEIRUT — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Monday with Parliament Speaker and Amal Movement leader Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh, in what appeared to be a step toward easing tensions between Salam and Hezbollah’s political allies.
The meeting came after heightened friction over Salam’s increasingly firm stance on the state's exclusive right to arms. Following the talks, Salam said the meeting was positive and emphasized that "the government is committed to what is stated in the ministerial declaration and has taken no action outside it."
Hezbollah and arms policy
Tensions surged after Salam declared that “the era of the Iranian Islamic Revolution’s expansion toward Lebanon is over” and rejected “the duality of arms” in the country — a clear allusion to Hezbollah’s military presence. In response, Jaafari Mufti Ahmad Qabalan — widely seen as an unofficial Hezbollah spokesman — criticized the prime minister, claiming his appointment was made possible by “the support of the Iranian revolution for the resistance.”
Berri responded the next day by saying, “If Salam heats things up, we will do the same. If he cools things down, we’ll follow suit.” When asked by reporters about Berri’s comments Monday, Salam laughed: “We’re not a weather station; we don’t heat or cool things.”
Salam reiterated that the issue of arms is “clearly outlined in the ministerial declaration, along with the commitment to the Taif Agreement and the extension of state authority across all Lebanese territory.” He added that “even the Iranians no longer speak of exporting the revolution,” arguing that this rhetoric is outdated.
Reconstruction and foreign support
On the topic of reconstruction after recent Israeli strikes, Salam said the government needs more than $7 billion, with World Bank estimates nearing $14 billion. “At the Washington meeting in April, we aimed for $250 million from the World Bank, and we got it — along with $75 million from the French,” he said. Salam stressed the government’s commitment “to rebuild what was destroyed by Israeli aggression.”
Responding to recent comments by MP and head of Hezbollah parliamentary bloc, Mohammad Raad, Salam said, “I leave much room for cordiality with Mohammad Raad. I welcome him and Hezbollah — my door is always open.”
Raad later told Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar TV, “We appreciate the prime minister’s cordiality. We will meet him halfway at the earliest opportunity and exchange views in line with the interest of the people and the country.”
Rajji’s comments called “personal”
Finance Minister Yassine Jaber had already signaled on Sunday that tensions would “cool down,” telling Al-Jadeed that “this issue must be resolved because the government faces crucial challenges.”
Jaber also distanced the government from remarks by Foreign Minister Joe Rajji — a Lebanese Forces ally — who had accused Hezbollah of refusing to disarm and provoking Israeli attacks. “Foreign policy is set by the president and the Cabinet. Rajji’s statements were never discussed or adopted in the Cabinet. They reflect his personal views,” Jaber said.
Rajji referred to Hezbollah as an “outlaw” party and claimed it was giving Israel pretexts for continued aggression.
Jaber condemned ongoing Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, saying, “Every day, Israel targets civilians in the South. Do motorcycle riders carry missiles?” he asked, referencing frequent drone attacks on vehicles.
The finance minister said reconstruction was not contingent on Hezbollah’s disarmament, but on implementing long-overdue reforms. He added that Lebanon expects to receive $1 billion of the $7 billion needed and that the central bank’s vice governor and the Banking Control Commission will be appointed within 10 days.