Minister of Information Paul Marquez issued the official statements after the Cabinet session, which concluded around 5:00 PM:
“The Council of Ministers held its session under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam, with the attendance of the ministers, except for the Ministers of Finance, Public Health, Environment, and Labor, who were absent.
As you know, the agenda for this session included a single item, specifically addressing the issue of displaced persons, the repercussions of displacement, the Israeli attacks, and their effects across multiple levels: shelter, relief, social, economic, financial, and naturally, primarily military.
Accordingly, the ministers presented their interventions after the Prime Minister spoke, stating:
Firstly: The Israeli Defense Minister repeatedly threatens us, stating that Israel is active in planning to occupy the area south of the Litani River. The Finance Minister also adds that he will demand annexation of this area to Israel. Israel has destroyed most of the bridges over the Litani River in an attempt to separate this area from the rest of Lebanon. This has been accompanied by mass displacement of the residents of the cities and villages south of the Litani, daily land encroachments, house demolitions, and sometimes total clearing, signaling that civilians will not be able to return home soon.
We consider these actions and statements—under any title such as a security belt or buffer zone—extremely serious, threatening Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and citizens’ rights. They also completely contradict international law, international humanitarian law, and the UN Charter.
Therefore, I request that the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants immediately submit a complaint to the UN Security Council regarding this matter, and I will personally contact the UN Secretary-General immediately after this session for the same purpose.
Secondly: I regret to report that news has arrived regarding the discovery of a new terrorist cell in the sisterly state of Kuwait, with two of the accused reportedly affiliated with Hezbollah, according to the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior. I want to reaffirm that what harms Kuwait also harms Lebanon, and that the bilateral relationship between our countries is longstanding and historic. The vast majority of the Lebanese community respects the laws in place and actively contributes to Kuwait’s economic life, building an excellent bridge of cooperation between our nations. I hope this will be the last time Lebanon’s name is linked to such matters, and I urge our citizens to fully respect the laws of the countries where they live and work, particularly in the GCC countries, which Lebanon consistently relies upon for friendship.
I have contacted the Kuwaiti Prime Minister and expressed our strong condemnation of these terrorist acts, as well as Lebanon’s full solidarity with sisterly Kuwait.
In this context, it should be noted that the focus of Iranian attacks has shifted from Israel to the Gulf states. Official data from the targeted countries shows that since the start of the war, 83% of these attacks—whether by missiles or drones—were aimed at the Gulf states, as well as Jordan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, while only 17% targeted Israel. Among the targets were vital facilities and civilian sites, representing a serious escalation.
Although the Gulf countries have efficiently defended their territories, Lebanon cannot remain silent while its Arab brothers are exposed to daily attacks. Therefore, I have contacted and will continue to contact the leaders of our sisterly countries to reaffirm Lebanon’s solidarity.
Thirdly: I reiterate that our displaced citizens, like us, are victims of this war imposed upon us. They were neither consulted nor did they decide to enter it. This is a war of others fought on our land, in which Lebanon has no interest, neither directly nor indirectly.
Finally: I want to reassure all Lebanese, and particularly our citizens in Beirut, that new measures have been taken to enhance security in the capital. This will be visible to everyone through the intensified patrols of the army and security forces throughout the city.”
