Humanitarian aid, investments: Lebanon on Salam’s Davos agenda

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam participated Tuesday afternoon in a dialogue session at the Davos Forum on the Future of the Middle East, during which he presented the progress made in Lebanon over the past year on reforms and the state monopoly on arms, reports the state-run National News Agency (NNA).

Salam emphasized that "this is the first time since 1969 that the Lebanese state has exercised sole operational control over the region south of the Litani River."

He also affirmed that "the government is determined to continue rebuilding the state and restoring the confidence of the Lebanese people and the international community."

He was speaking before representatives of the U.S. president for the Middle East, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, as well as the prime minister of Qatar, the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority, the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, and the finance ministers of Egypt and Bahrain.

Since last September, the Lebanese Army has been implementing a five-phase plan to restore the state's monopoly on weapons throughout the country.

The military has completed the dismantling of Hezbollah's infrastructure south of the Litani River, but Hezbollah refuses to surrender its weapons north of the Litani as long as Israel continues to bomb Lebanon and maintain a presence in the South.

The army has also begun disarming Palestinian factions, particularly Fatah, so far.

On the sidelines of the forum, Salam held numerous strategic meetings on Tuesday with U.N. officials and international business leaders to address both the Syrian refugee crisis and investment opportunities in Lebanon.

With the U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, he "examined the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, particularly in war-torn areas and those hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees," the prime minister's office stated.

"They explored ways to strengthen coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese government to ensure the continuity of humanitarian aid and its alignment with national priorities," the statement added, specifying that "both sides emphasized the importance of a gradual transition from emergency interventions to more sustainable approaches."

On Jan. 5, the U.N. announced on its website the adoption of its 2026 budget, which is significantly lower than last year’s. The organization has $3.4 billion for this year, a decrease of more than 7 percent from the previous period.

Member states also approved the elimination of around 2,400 posts, marking one of the tightest budget adjustments in recent years, the U.N. said, noting that the 2026 budget "reflects a fragile compromise combining financial discipline, political concessions and efforts to preserve the U.N.’s operational capacity."

This cut particularly affects U.N. support for Lebanon, both vulnerable Lebanese impacted by war and crisis, and Syrian refugees. It has also resulted in the gradual reduction of UNIFIL personnel in Lebanon, due to budget cuts and the announced end of the mission’s deployment.

Salam also met with U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Bahram Saleh, joined by Finance Minister Yassin Jaber and Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bisat.

The meeting focused on the situation of Syrian refugees and the coordination among Lebanon, the High Commissioner, and other relevant international agencies, with the aim of ensuring refugees’ safe and dignified return to their country.

Talks also addressed figures for returns in 2025, which have reportedly surpassed 500,000 refugees returning to Syria. Both sides reaffirmed their "commitment to continue joint work to maintain this momentum."

Ten days ago, Lebanon’s Social Affairs Minister Hanin al-Sayyed stated that "for the first time since the start of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2011, Lebanon can back up the reality of returns with figures."

"During 2025, authorities documented the effective return of 501,603 displaced Syrians, an unprecedented achievement made possible by organized and targeted government work and a clear policy," she said.

On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, Salam also met with several international business leaders, including the chairman of Consolidated Contractors International Company (CCC), Samer Khoury; PepsiCo's CEO for Africa, Middle East, and South Asia, Eugene Willemsen; and Menzies Aviation chairman Hassan al-Houry.

During these meetings, discussions focused on available investment opportunities in Lebanon, ways to encourage foreign direct investment, and strengthening public-private sector partnerships.

Salam reaffirmed "the Lebanese government’s willingness to provide the necessary facilities and incentives to encourage investments, in order to help create new jobs and revive the economy."