Lebanon scraps 'armed resistance' from ministerial statement for first time in two decades

Latest policy statement shows government is seeking exclusive authority in decisions of war and peace

Members of the newly formed Lebanese government with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the presidential palace in Baabda, east Beirut. EPA

Lebanon’s newly formed government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, has omitted any mention of “armed resistance” from its ministerial statement for the first time since 2005, according to a draft seen by The National. The move signals a recalibration of Lebanon’s official stance on the military activities of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and a broader effort to reassert state sovereignty over defence and security matters.

The statement, which still needs to be approved by parliament, was authorised by the cabinet on Monday and lays out the government's priorities, focusing on national sovereignty and adherence to UN Resolution 1701.

“The government will strengthen the legitimate armed forces by equipping, training and enhancing their capabilities,” the statement read.

For two decades, Lebanon’s ministerial statements have included language affirming Hezbollah’s role in resisting Israeli aggression, a stance deeply embedded in the country’s political framework. The latest policy statement, however, emphasises the exclusive authority of the state in decisions of war and peace, marking a clear break from previous administrations.

Many in Lebanon argue that the shift reflects mounting internal and external pressure to limit Hezbollah’s influence, which was waned after the group’s year-long war with Israel and the fall of the regime of its Syrian ally Bashar Al Assad that previously served as a crucial conduit for Iranian support.

Whether this bold departure from past ministerial statements will translate into tangible change remains to be seen.

Earlier this year, Lebanon elected Joseph Aoun as President and Mr Salam as Prime Minister. The leaders were regarded as political outsiders, unaffiliated with the traditional ruling elite whose governance has been blamed for plunging the country into repeated crises.

The formation of Mr Salam’s cabinet followed years of political stagnation and worsening economic conditions for the Lebanese people. The new administration faces the daunting task of navigating postwar reconstruction, economic turmoil, political divisions and security concerns while maintaining international support.

Lebanon is also looking to re-engage diplomatically with key regional players, particularly Saudi Arabi and the UAE, which had distanced themselves over the past few years from Beirut due to Iran’s sway over Lebanese affairs.

The government aims to strengthen ties with Gulf nations and negotiate new agreements on border security with Syria and the Syrian refugee crisis, recognising that economic assistance from Arab allies could be vital to Lebanon’s recovery, the statement said.

“We will ensure that Lebanon is never used as a platform to attack our brothers and friends in Arab states,” it said.

Hezbollah has been accused of carrying out campaigns against Gulf states through various attacks and supporting regional militia groups that aligned with Iran’s interests.

IMF talks

Beyond security policy, the government’s primary focus remains economic stabilisation. Lebanon plans to negotiate a new agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to address its financial default and public debt, according to the policy statement.

The statement said the government would work for an economic revival that could only be achieved through restructuring the banking sector.

Lebanon has been in deep economic crisis since 2019, when its financial system collapsed under the weight of massive state debts, prompting a sovereign default in 2020 and freezing ordinary depositors out of their savings in the banking system.

Beirut reached a draft funding deal with the IMF in 2022 – contingent on reforms that authorities failed to deliver.