Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun during the Cabinet meeting on Oct. 6, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — During Monday’s Cabinet meeting at Baabda Presidential Palace, Nawaf Salam's government reviewed the army’s monthly report on restoring the state’s monopoly on arms and decided to temporarily suspend the NGO Rissalat — linked to Hezbollah — pending the outcome of an investigation into the unauthorized lighting of the Raouche Rock.
Information Minister Paul Morcos said the government “examined the monthly report presented by the army chief on the arms control plan across Lebanese territory.”
He added that the plan and its related deliberations would remain “confidential,” while the army will continue submitting its monthly report to the government. Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh said the army’s report was “excellent.”
Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar stated that “the president, the prime minister and ministers are committed to the unity of the government, political authority, and the Lebanese people.”
Since early August, with adjustments in September, the government has prioritized reestablishing the state’s monopoly on weapons, entrusting the army to draw up and implement a disarmament plan. Hezbollah — having agreed to a cease-fire with Israel in November 2024 after 13 months of war — says it refuses to relinquish its arms as long as the Israeli army continues to occupy six “strategic” border points and carries out near-daily strikes across Lebanon.
Suspension of Rissalat
The Cabinet then addressed the fallout from the unauthorized lighting of the Raouche Rock in Beirut by Hezbollah supporters on Sept. 25.
The ministers reviewed the steps taken by the public prosecutor and decided to suspend Rissalat’s activities until the investigation is concluded. According to LBCI, Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine had proposed delaying any decision until the inquiry is finalized, but the Cabinet ultimately opted for immediate suspension.
Meanwhile, a demonstration in support of the NGO took place in Ghobeiri in Beirut's southern suburbs. During the protest, Rissalat representatives expressed their determination to continue their work on what they called a “sacred cause,” promising to announce major initiatives soon.
They emphasized they were not challenging the authorities and declared their intention to defend their right to free speech through legal means, expecting support from the Culture Ministry.
Morcos also affirmed that the president and prime minister remain resolute about holding the legislative elections on schedule, denying any claim of a possible delay. “Parliament must choose the appropriate electoral law,” he added.
The debate over the electoral legislation, especially regarding the diaspora vote, continues to divide participants. The anti‑Hezbollah camp pushes to amend the 2017 law to allow expatriates to vote for all 128 MPs. In contrast, the Amal-Hezbollah alliance and the Free Patriotic Movement want to preserve Article 112, which limits diaspora representation to six MPs.
Other Cabinet highlights
Morcos reported that Aoun, during a meeting just before the session with Salam, had met with Nasreddine earlier.
Nasreddine presented the results of his participation in the 6th Global Mental Health Ministerial Summit in Doha (Sept. 30 – Oct. 1), during which he discussed bolstering health cooperation with Qatar and initiated steps toward a cooperation agreement with the Qatar Fund for Development.
The minister also requested support from his counterparts to rehabilitate hospitals and primary care centers partially or entirely damaged by Israeli strikes, stressing the urgency of restoring full capacity. He added that his meetings with Egypt’s and Bahrain’s health ministers had yielded positive outcomes.
Aoun, Morcos said, also urged the Public Works Ministry to intensify efforts to prevent annual flooding with the onset of rains and called on the Tourism Ministry to begin preparing for the holiday season. The Cabinet also reviewed U.S. President Donald Trump’s Gaza truce plan, an initiative the Lebanese government welcomed.
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