Cabinet approves Syrian prisoner transfers, reconstruction plan, and key appointments

On Friday, Cabinet approved a deal with Syria on prisoner transfers, a post-war reconstruction plan, and key government appointments.

The prisoner-transfer agreement, led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri since September, covers only those already sentenced and excludes detainees awaiting trial.

It allows about 300 Syrian prisoners in Lebanon to be transferred under strict conditions, including consent from the inmate and verification of their sentence. The deal also provides for reciprocity for Lebanese convicted in Syria and is set to take effect 30 days after signature.

Cabinet also endorsed the government’s reconstruction framework, although actual rebuilding has yet to begin due to international conditions, including Hezbollah’s disarmament.

Key appointments were approved, including Marwan Georges Rizkallah as head of the National Authority for Solid Waste Management, Rasha Abou Ghazaleh as vice president of the Southern Council, and Imad Khreish as director-general of Civil Defense.

A decision on the rehabilitation of Qleiaat (Rene Moawad) Airport in northern Lebanon was postponed to next week pending review by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Earlier, President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed the political situation and national developments. Aoun also praised Parliament’s adoption of the 2026 state budget, while emphasizing the need to balance public-sector demands, including military pensions, with Lebanon’s financial realities.

The president additionally highlighted the upcoming centenary of Lebanon’s Constitution in May and noted ongoing work by a constitutional commission to address gaps in administrative decentralization, personal-status laws, balanced development, political sectarianism, and the creation of a Senate.