Lebanon’s Cabinet convened on Monday at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, issuing a series of decisions aimed at safeguarding the country’s stability amid regional tensions and addressing pressing domestic issues.

Speaking after the session, Information Minister Paul Morcos highlighted Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s firm stance against Lebanon’s involvement in the ongoing regional conflict.

“Prime Minister Salam stressed the need to prevent Lebanon from being drawn into the ongoing war in any form, given the severe consequences that would fall on Lebanon,” Morcos said.

Morcos added that Salam had also requested Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to enforce decisions related to the disarmament of Palestinian factions in Lebanon, though no official timeline has been set for the handover of weapons.

The session also addressed humanitarian concerns, with the Foreign Minister briefing the Cabinet on the status of hundreds of Lebanese citizens stranded at airports worldwide and the steps underway to resolve their predicament. Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works updated the Cabinet on airport operations amid the disruption caused by the military conflict in the region.

On the political front, Cabinet members discussed proposed amendments to Lebanon’s electoral law. A ministerial committee was established to thoroughly examine the proposed changes, Morcos noted. 

In a significant policy move, the Cabinet approved a plan proposed by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri aimed at facilitating the return of displaced Syrians to their homeland, signaling a step forward on one of Lebanon’s most sensitive and complex challenges.

The government also agreed to revisit a previously tabled proposal to create a Ministry of Technology and Artificial Intelligence. 

On the international cooperation front, the government approved an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to establish a resident IMF office in Lebanon.

Addressing a longstanding safety concern, the Cabinet addressed the issue of flammable containers stored at the Port of Beirut. Funding was approved to support efforts to safely remove these hazardous materials from the port area.

In the housing sector, the Cabinet raised the maximum housing loan available to beneficiaries from $50,000 to $100,000, aiming to support greater access to affordable housing amid the country’s ongoing economic crisis.

Additionally, the government approved several ministry requests and various grants, while rejecting one conditional donation, underscoring a cautious approach to external aid.