Lebanese Minister of Information, Paul Morcos, announced during the reading of the decisions of the Council of Ministers meeting held in Baabda that President Joseph Aoun emphasized that the option of negotiation is based on the conviction of the necessity to restore stability to the south. He stressed that the option of war will not lead to positive results.
Morcos pointed out that the Council of Ministers affirmed the continuation of diplomatic and political efforts to stop Israeli violations of the ceasefire arrangements, while praising the Lebanese army’s plan to restrict weapons despite obstacles, including continued occupation.
In a related context, Al-Manar correspondent reported that the army commander proposed freezing the implementation of the army’s plan to restrict weapons south of the Litani River due to repeated Israeli attacks in the region.
Minister Morcos announced that the Council of Ministers voted by majority on a draft law that will be submitted to Parliament, which provides for suspending the application of Article 112 of the Electoral Law for one time only, according to the formula adopted in 2022.
This decision will enable expatriates to vote for all 128 deputies in the 2026 elections, without permanently canceling the article.
Morcos confirmed that the government sent the necessary legislative texts to hold elections on time.
The correspondent added that the government approved the suspension of Article 112, which limited expatriate voting to the 16th district (six deputies).
Morcos also announced that the Council of Ministers appointed Marwan Naffi as head of the temporary committee to manage and invest in the Port of Beirut, along with six other members.
The government also appointed Najat Hanna as government commissioner for civil aviation ad interim.
The government held its session this afternoon at the Presidential Palace, chaired by President Joseph Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and ministers.
The session discussed 37 items on the agenda, including the army’s report on the implementation of the plan to restrict weapons and a series of appointments in public institutions.
Source: Al-Manar English Website
