Parliament renews confidence in government by 68 votes to 12 | LIVE

⚡️ Parliament renews confidence in government by 68 votes to 12

After two days of general policy debate, Parliament renewed its confidence in the government by 68 votes, with 12 lawmakers voting against and two abstaining.

In July 2025, the Cabinet had already secured a renewal of Parliament’s confidence by 69 votes to nine, with four abstentions. That was the first general policy debate held in Parliament since 2017.

Reforms, weapons monopoly, Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction: Salam reiterates government’s 'roadmap' in closing remarks

In his closing speech, the prime minister addressed the numerous criticisms from lawmakers over the electricity sector. “Listening to some people, one would almost think that the electricity crisis began with this government,” he said sarcastically. He added: “In reality, what Lebanese citizens are paying today is, to a large extent, the cost of more than two decades of neglect in developing the electricity sector.”

Before concluding his speech, he said: “I want to remind you, honorable members of this Assembly, that our roadmap is clear: financial and economic reform, which cannot be successfully carried out without your legislative support; completing the extension of state authority and placing weapons under its monopoly; working to secure a full Israeli withdrawal; and ensuring reconstruction.”

On Syrian refugees, Salam welcomes return of '700,000 Syrians to their country'

Nawaf Salam welcomed the “return of nearly 700,000 Syrians to their country,” stressing that the government had “facilitated and organized their return,” alongside “developments in Syria and the incentives offered by international organizations to people returning to their country,” referring to the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 and the rise of the new authorities under Ahmad al-Sharaa.

At the height of the crisis, the official number of Syrian refugees and migrants in Lebanon had reached 1.5 million.

“The government drew up a plan to facilitate their return to their country in a dignified and safe manner. It consulted and cooperated with the Syrian government and mobilized international support for their return. We also resolved a long-running dispute over the exchange of information concerning refugees,” the prime minister said.

“The transfer of Syrian nationals convicted and detained in Lebanese prisons so that they can serve the remainder of their sentences in Syria constitutes the implementation of a Lebanese-Syrian judicial agreement similar to those in place with many other countries. It is neither a relinquishment of Lebanese sovereignty nor a release of convicted prisoners, contrary to what some have sought to suggest,” he added.

'I am not claiming that the results we seek have been achieved' with Israel, Salam says

Nawaf Salam continued his speech by defending negotiations with Israel as a means of putting an end to Israeli attacks and securing an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

“I am not claiming that the results we seek have been achieved. The attacks have not stopped, Israel has not yet withdrawn from all Lebanese territory, a large number of our prisoners remain in detention, and many of our citizens are still unable to return to their towns and villages. But the negotiations are not over yet,” he stressed.

“It is true that any negotiation process is ultimately measured by the results it produces. But we must also ask ourselves: With what kind of Lebanon are we going to the negotiating table? Our position there is stronger when we are all united behind the state,” he continued.

He added: “The more we strengthen our national unity, equip our army to carry out its missions and extend the state’s exclusive authority across its entire territory, the more we strengthen our leverage and our ability to secure our rights.”

'We will do everything we can': Salam closes parliamentary session

Wrapping up the two-day parliamentary session devoted to the general policy debate, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government “is aware that its formation had raised many expectations, but these collided with a difficult reality, made even more difficult by the war.”

“We will of course do everything we can to ensure that recognition of the difficulties surrounding our work does not turn into disappointment,” he continued.

Amid criticism, Tony Frangieh asks 'how this government can continue'

Tony Frangieh, the sole MP from the Marada Party and son of Sleiman Frangieh, said on his X account that he had “canceled [his] speech before Parliament.”

“Those who are part of the government, those who gave it their confidence and those who nominated its prime minister are not satisfied ... So how can this government continue? It is truly incredible!” he wrote.

This is one of the few indications that an MP may be considering withholding confidence from the Cabinet, although all indications are that the government will not face a confidence vote at the end of the session.

Frangieh continued: “If divisions are this deep, the time has come to engage in a national dialogue that protects, strengthens and brings us together. Any other course means remaining stuck waiting for ready-made solutions from abroad, which may be slow to materialize, at the risk of being overtaken by a social explosion at home.”

Exchange of insults between Achraf Rifi and Hezbollah lawmakers

A heated exchange of insults broke out between Tripoli Sunni MP Achraf Rifi and Hezbollah lawmakers following remarks by Hezbollah MP Ihab Hamadé, who was addressing the issue of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

“Ask yourself why they came,” Rifi responded. “What were you doing in Syria [during the Syrian civil war, from 2011 to 2024]? You bear responsibility for this,” he added, before engaging in a heated exchange with Hezbollah lawmakers.

Hezbollah MP criticizes expectation that army should 'fight the resistance'

Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan, who has frequently criticized the state, lamented that “under none of the successive presidential terms and governments has a genuine decision ever been taken on defense, while the army’s armament remains subject to U.S. approval.”

“As members of the parliamentary Defense Committee said a few days ago, the condition is for the army to fight the resistance, while it is not allowed to fight the enemy,” he said.

A staunch opponent of negotiations with Israel, the MP criticized the framework agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel at the end of June, calling for the Lebanese army to disarm Hezbollah while Israeli forces simultaneously withdraw from southern Lebanon.

“Nothing speaks louder than its ‘zero’ results, which speak for themselves.”

“The prime minister should have listed the results achieved in detail, rather than once again reciting the ministerial statement. Where are the achievements? On sovereignty? On the economy? On public services?” he added.

Nawaf Salam delivered a speech at the opening of Tuesday’s parliamentary session.

MPs call on government to 'implement its decisions'

As lawmakers resumed speaking, Beirut MP Hagop Terzian of the Armenian Tashnag Party stressed that “citizens do not want speeches, but electricity, education, health care and justice.” “Stop making honest people pay the price for your failures,” he said.

Sunni Beirut MP Nabil Badr, while welcoming the government’s April 9 decision to declare Beirut a “weapons-free city,” following the Israeli massacres the previous day, including in the capital, pointed to the lack of implementation. “Are decisions therefore being made to be applauded rather than implemented?” he asked.

He nevertheless praised the government’s decisions concerning the state’s monopoly on weapons, saying they “are to be welcomed and constitute an essential step toward restoring sovereignty.”

Heated exchange between MP Bilal Hocheimi and FPM lawmakers over electricity

A heated exchange took place between Sunni MP Bilal Hocheimi and lawmakers from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) bloc over electricity, with Hocheimi criticizing the management of the sector in the late 2010s.

Cesar Abi Khalil (FPM), who served as energy and water minister from December 2016 to January 2019, interrupted Hocheimi, leading to a tense exchange between the two, as well as with fellow FPM MP Alain Aoun.

As lawmakers resume speaking, MPs call on government to take action

As lawmakers resumed speaking, Beirut MP Hagop Terzian of the Armenian Tashnag Party stressed that “citizens do not want speeches, but electricity, education, health care and justice.” “Stop making honest people pay the price for your failures,” he said.

Sunni Beirut MP Nabil Badr, while welcoming the government’s April 9 decision to declare Beirut a “weapons-free city” following the Israeli massacres the previous day, including in the capital, pointed to the lack of implementation. “Are decisions therefore being made to be applauded rather than implemented?” he asked.

At the same time, he praised the government’s decisions regarding the state’s monopoly on weapons, saying they “are to be welcomed and constitute an essential step toward restoring sovereignty.”

Heated exchange in Parliament: 'Trading insults gets us nowhere,' Joumblatt says

Following the first part of the session, which was marked by a heated verbal exchange between Lebanese Forces MP Ziad Hawat and Hezbollah lawmakers, Druze leader Walid Joumblatt said on X that this “stream of accusations and insults traded in Parliament gets us nowhere.”

“The roadmap for the future must therefore be based on the remarks made by President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, both in their assessment of the current situation and in how to address it,” he wrote.

Parliamentary session resumes

After a more than three-hour interruption, the parliamentary session resumed at 6 p.m.

Socio-economic issues on the agenda

Several lawmakers took the floor before the session was adjourned until 6 p.m., addressing a range of issues of public interest, including electricity and various socio-economic concerns.

MP Farid Boustani (independent, close to the Free Patriotic Movement) called for a “restructuring of the public sector.” “The budget should not be limited to figures on salaries and jobs, but should instead provide a vision for managing the state and the economy,” he said. He also called for an increase in the minimum wage.

On the thorny issue of electricity, independent, anti-Hezbollah Koura MP Adib Abdel Massih called on the authorities to “put in place a short-term plan so that citizens can feel a difference in the electricity supply.”

MP Marwan Hamadeh, who is close to the Progressive Socialist Party, addressed the amnesty law, calling on the Constitutional Council to rule on the matter “quickly.” Tripoli MP Taha Naji, for his part, called for frozen bank deposits to be returned to their owners.

“Decisions concerning weapons control, the deployment of the army and the protection of the borders must be implemented, as must measures to protect citizens from exorbitant prices,” independent Zgharta MP Michel Doueihy said during his speech.

Following in the footsteps of his Lebanese Forces colleagues, MP Ghassan Hasbani criticized the government over the issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament. “Our presence in this government does not prevent us from monitoring the situation, offering advice and improving socio-economic conditions. Reconstruction requires investment and support, which will not be available as long as the weapons crisis remains unresolved,” he said.

Hankash calls for disarmament in Metn and Beirut

Elias Hankash, the Kataeb MP for Metn, has called on Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to “work towards balanced development across all regions.”

“The Metn region has suffered from neglect for 40 years,” he lamented.

He went on to call for “the implementation of the resolution on disarmament in Metn, as well as in Beirut and other Lebanese regions.”

“How can we tolerate the presence, in our mountains, of training camps belonging to remnants of the Assad regime and other groups?” he emphasized.

He also addressed the Environment Minister, Tamara Elzein, questioning her about landfill sites.

Kobeissi: The South needs national solidarity

Hani Kobeissi, an MP from the Amal Movement, has criticized the Lebanese authorities’ approach to the situation in southern Lebanon. “The South needs national solidarity,” he stated.

“Whilst we remain divided, Israel is stepping up its military presence and increasing the number of raids. Lebanon’s political position is fragile, as the country is negotiating whilst under fire. The negotiations have been fruitless, and I hope that the government and the Lebanese authorities will adopt a different stance,” he said.

Electricity and water: Waddah Sadeq condemns ‘nerve’ of certain individuals

Shortly before the sitting was adjourned, Waddah Sadeq, MP for Beirut, criticized the "nerve" of certain politicians who have been in office for years "and are now asking where we stand on electricity and water."

“Some people should be ashamed to ask what the government has done. The MPs for Change are the only ones entitled to ask questions; they haven’t stolen from taxpayers or managed these issues before,” he said.

“Of course I have criticisms to make, but this government has faced nothing but war since the beginning,” he argued. “The Israelis are criminals, but those who give them pretexts to come into Lebanon are either their friends or lack any sense of patriotism,” he added, in a criticism of Hezbollah.

Session adjourned until 6 pm

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has adjourned the plenary session. Debates are expected to resume at 6 p.m.

Hashem: 'What has the government done to support the UNIFIL forces?'

“The enemy continues to kill us and destroy our villages. What has the government done to support UNIFIL forces in implementing Resolution 1701?” asked Qassem Hashem, an Amal Movement MP.

He also called on the government “to exempt displaced pupils attending state schools from paying enrollment fees."

Hezbollah MP calls out government's 'poor performance,' and calls for country to be 'defended' against Israel

Hezbollah MP Raed Berro paid tribute to Hezbollah's “resistance fighters” at Ali Taher, stating that his party had “prevented the enemy from achieving a major victory” in this area of southern Lebanon.

He also stated that “the government’s performance is poor.” “We face major challenges in the face of Israeli aggression, living standards, and public services,” he said, whilst accusing the authorities of turning a blind eye to Israeli actions.

“We were accused of monopolizing decisions relating to war and peace. We gave you free rein, but what have you done about it? You should have defended the country,” Berro said.

'We must all stand against Israel,' says Halima Kaakour

Halima Kaakour, the MP associated with the protest movement, has spoken out against the framework agreement with Israel, arguing that the authorities are in the process of granting “legitimacy to the Israeli occupation.” “We must all stand against Israel,” she said.

“I am in favor of a state monopoly on arms. Only the state should defend us, not Hezbollah or Iran,” she stated, whilst criticizing the fact that the authorities had “failed to put in place a national defense strategy."

She also criticized the U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, Michel Issa, accusing him of justifying Israeli strikes on Lebanon.

Heated altercation between LF MP Ziad Hawat and Hezbollah MPs

Whilst MP Michel Moawad was speaking, a heated altercation broke out between Lebanese Forces (LF) MP Ziad Hawat and Hezbollah MPs. Moawad’s critical remarks about Hezbollah prompted objections from the latter, before Hawat lost his temper and intervened in the debate.

Ihab Hamadeh, a Hezbollah MP, initially responded to Michel Moawad with a quote about lying, asking for certain remarks concerning Hezbollah to be withdrawn. Hawat then intervened. “It is not permissible to say such things in Parliament. Go and find out who brought the Israelis back into the country. You have lied to the people,” the FL MP said angrily.

“Some of our colleagues believe that Israel is not an enemy,” retorted Hezbollah MP Hussein Jachi, cutting off Habchi.

'Go and buy some weapons,' Moussawi said sarcastically, in response to Habchi

Responding to criticism from Lebanese Forces MP Antoine Habchi, Hezbollah MP Ibrahim Moussawi stated that “the Lebanese Army has been driven out of Mansouri." “Go and buy some weapons and arm the troops,” Moussawi said, sarcastically.

LF say they are “fearful for the government,” whilst criticizing Hezbollah

Members of the Lebanese Forces (LF) took the floor during the session, warning the government of the repercussions of the current situation.

“I fear for the government because, under these conditions, no other government will be able to function,” said MP Pierre Bou Assi. “We are in a vicious circle,” he added, whilst expressing “doubts that foreign investment will come to Lebanon.”

“When and how will we be able to implement the government’s decision on the arms monopoly?” asked Melhem Riachi. “Winter could be harsh for the Lebanese. Beware, people could go hungry and taxes could bring us all down,” he said, warning against “a new [uprising].”

Antoine Habchi, for his part, accused “certain officials of covering up for Hezbollah’s weapons." He also pointed out that the framework agreement with Israel had led to the return of five prisoners to Lebanon, whereas the 2024 agreement had not resulted in the return of any. He also called for the Ali Taher tunnels to be handed over to the Lebanese Army.

Michel Moawad condemns 'Hezbollah’s losing wars'

“Has the South been destroyed because Nawaf Salam is head of government, or because Hezbollah has dragged us into war?” asked MP Michel Moawad, prompting several objections from MPs representing the Hezbollah-Amal coalition. “Hezbollah decides on the war and the government pays the price. Its losing wars have led to occupation. Hezbollah’s refusal to disarm weakens the state in the face of Israel,” Moawad continued.

“Even Ali Taher, which was presented as Stalingrad, Hezbollah preferred to hand it over to the Israelis rather than to the army,” he added.

On the economic front, he noted that “the Lebanese are exhausted; some are struggling to survive.” “Inflation is close to 20%, school fees are rising, and there is neither electricity nor water,” he pointed out.

Abi Ramia warns of ‘social unrest’

Addressing Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, MP Simon Abi Ramia condemned the "status quo" in southern Lebanon, warning of "social unrest" should the war continue.

“We are currently in a state of the status quo, waiting to see what might happen in southern Lebanon. But we cannot continue to wait and see whether Hezbollah will first lay down its arms or whether Israel will withdraw. We are on the brink of a social explosion, and we must overcome our divisions,” he warned.

Abi Ramia also criticized the fact that the various political groups are “linked to parties abroad.” “It is the Lebanese MPs who must defend Lebanon’s interests,” he said.

South Lebanon: Alain Aoun calls for the diplomatic process to be ‘given a chance’

MP Alain Aoun contrasted the actions of Hezbollah with those of the Lebanese state, pointing out that neither has yet succeeded in bringing the conflict with Israel to an end.

“Neither the state nor Hezbollah is doing well,” he said, calling for the development of a joint strategy. “Why does Hezbollah not accept the state’s monopoly on arms in exchange for Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction? Let’s give this approach a chance,” he emphasized.

Mneimneh calls on Hezbollah to 'acknowledge its responsibilities'

Ibrahim Mneimneh, MP for Beirut, said he was “committed to the government” whilst insisting that he nevertheless intended to “hold them to account.” “We want the state to be in control of the negotiations [with Israel]. The state must negotiate and speak on behalf of Lebanon,” the MP said.

“We hear criticism of Hezbollah, but after everything that has happened, they must acknowledge their responsibilities,” he said.

Sajih Attieh criticizes the handling of electricity issue

“There are electricity bills totaling $2.5 million a month in the Palestinian camps, and the government has taken no steps to recover them,” said Sajih Attieh, MP for Akkar.

“The electricity issue is crucial. If we cannot secure a supply of electricity, the government will have achieved nothing,” he said.

Michel Moussa believes it unlikely that motion of confidence will be tabled

MP Michel Moussa, who belongs to the bloc led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, told Sawt Kel Lebnan radio that he considered it unlikely that a motion of confidence in the government would be tabled on Wednesday. “The political climate does not suggest that we are heading in that direction,” he said.

“It is not on the agenda at the moment. The priority must be to strengthen the government’s action, not to provoke an internal political confrontation,” said Moussa.

Paula Yaacoubian: 'What happened at Ali Taher?'

Paula Yaacoubian, the independent MP for Beirut, has called on the government to assert its authority in southern Lebanon. “We want to ask the government, of which Hezbollah is a part, what happened at Ali Taher?" said Yaacoubian.

"Why is the unoccupied part of southern Lebanon not being handed over to the government and the Lebanese Army?" she asked. “Why does Hezbollah not hand over a list of its weapons to the Lebanese negotiators so that they can secure a withdrawal and the return of the displaced?” she added. “The army has a great many responsibilities and must be supported,” the MP went on to say, condemning the ongoing Israeli strikes on the town of Mansouri (Sour).

On the economic front, Paula Yaacoubian stated that there is “no alternative but to reach an agreement with the International Monetary Fund [IMF]."

She also raised the issue of Électricité du Liban (EDL), calling on the courts to take action to recover one billion dollars in connection with this case.

Bassil, Hezbollah, criticize Salam government

As in July 2025, the debate was called for by the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Gebran Bassil. Highly critical of the government — in which his party is not represented — he once again called for a vote of confidence in the Cabinet to be put to MPs.

Speaking on Tuesday, the Batroun MP criticized the Lebanese state’s subservience to "foreign powers" and the inability of Hezbollah, a former political ally of the FPM, "to defend Lebanon."

Hezbollah also criticized the state for having “signed a framework agreement drafted with Israeli ink on American paper,” prompting Netanyahu to declare: “Thank you to the Lebanese government for allowing us to remain in Lebanon.”

Deputy Parliament Speaker Elias Bou Saab (formerly FPM), also criticized this framework agreement, concluded last June between Lebanon and Israel under U.S. auspices, which provides for Hezbollah's disarmament alongside the withdrawal of the Israeli army from southern Lebanon.

“So far, we have not understood what the framework agreement entails. We would like the Prime Minister to explain to us what it entails and what we hope to achieve through it,” he said. Ali Hassan Khalil, an Amal MP, criticized the “results” of the negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv.

What happened yesterday: In Parliament, Berri steers the debate to let Salam defend his government

Catch up on yesterday plenary session in Parliament here.

Salam reviews human and economic toll of Israel's war

Speaking on Tuesday, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam discussed the consequences of the war that re-escalated on March 2, estimating its cost so far at “3 to 4 billion dollars”, excluding the economic fallout, which he put at between 4 and 5 billion dollars. In total, the economic cost of the two wars “could exceed 27 billion dollars,” he added.

The human toll stands at “4,000 killed and 12,000 injured since March 2” and “9,000 killed and more than 30,000 injured since Oct. 8, 2023”, the date on which the first of the last two wars began.

The war also displaced more than one million people and destroyed “tens of thousands of homes.”

Faced with this situation, Salam told MPs that he would not be addressing them “with a view to justifying” anything.

Salam further stated that his government’s objective is not “to manage population movements,” but to “enable residents to return to their lands” in southern Lebanon, more than 600 km² of which are currently occupied — and razed to the ground — by Israel.

Whilst the government has been reviewing the draft budget for the 2027 financial year since last week, ahead of its submission to Parliament, Salam stated that “the state is not being asked to spend more, but to spend more wisely.”

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Parliament's plenary session

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second day of Parliament's plenary session, held by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Today’s session began at 11 am.

This is the second general policy debate on Nawaf Salam's government, following the one in July 2025, five months after the formation of his new government. The previous one took place in 2017. On that occasion, the cabinet secured a vote of confidence from Parliament.

Yesterday’s sitting ended at 3 p.m. and was marked by disputes over the length of speeches and the rules governing debates.

Hezbollah MP Ali Ammar, in particular, sought to respond immediately to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, launching into a speech critical of him before being interrupted by independent MP Paula Yacoubian, a critic of Hezbollah.

More than ten MPs have already spoken.