Beirut: Lebanon’s new government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, secured a confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday, with 95 out of 128 lawmakers backing it. Despite support from Hezbollah’s bloc, the government’s policy statement asserted that only Lebanon’s armed forces should defend the country in war, omitting references to “armed resistance”, which had previously legitimized Hezbollah’s independent military presence.
Salam, a former ICJ judge, was appointed after the Israel-Hezbollah war, which killed over 4,000 people. Hezbollah, which did not initially endorse his candidacy, still backed his Cabinet. Hezbollah’s allies, including Amal, Marada, and SSNP, also voted in favor, while the Free Patriotic Movement opposed it.
The Lebanese Forces and Kataeb, staunch Hezbollah critics, supported the government, hoping it would curb Hezbollah’s influence. Meanwhile, 12 legislators withheld support, and four abstained, citing vagueness in the government’s plan.
Parliamentarians urged the new government to address Israel’s ceasefire violations, rebuild war-torn areas, and resolve Lebanon’s economic crisis. Israeli troops, despite withdrawing under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, still control five strategic outposts and continue airstrikes, targeting Hezbollah. Salam vowed to uphold Lebanon’s sovereignty, stating that only state forces have the right to bear arms.
