Lebanon’s parliament renewed confidence in Nawaf Salam’s government, with 68 of the 81 lawmakers attending the session voting in its favour, as the government faces criticism over its performance and challenges related to negotiations with Israel, placing arms under state control, financial reforms and internal political divisions.
Al-Liwaa newspaper editor-in-chief Salah Salam said the vote reflected Arab and international support for the government to enable it to meet the needs of displaced people and pursue financial reforms. He said this support helped thwart attempts to undermine the legitimacy of the executive authority. Political analyst Amin Qamourieh, by contrast, said parliamentary blocs’ fear of a vacuum and the absence of a political alternative were the main reasons for granting confidence.
Bloc positions on renewing confidence
He added that, in his view, the parliamentary position did not rise to the level of the challenges resulting from Israeli attacks and internal disorder. Hezbollah lawmakers left the chamber before the confidence motion was put to a vote. Writer and political researcher Hadi Qubaisi said the move was consistent with the party’s approach since 2008 of remaining within state institutions to monitor their work and avoid internal confrontation.
Framework agreement and withdrawal of Israeli forces
Beirut and Tel Aviv had signed a framework formula in Washington, under US sponsorship, providing for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory and the deployment of the Lebanese army in areas from which the forces withdraw.
Despite the agreement, Israel continues its attacks on southern Lebanon, while its forces still control areas in the south, some for decades and others following recent wars and military operations. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said his country was seeking a security agreement with Israel to end the state of “hostility between the two countries” and avoid war. He also pledged to proceed with disarming Hezbollah without “internal confrontation”.
Salah Salam linked the postponement of the Rome negotiations until next October to calculations surrounding the Knesset elections, saying Tel Aviv was using Hezbollah’s adherence to its arms as a pretext to obstruct the withdrawal.
Qamourieh, for his part, said the absence of internal understanding was the main obstacle. He criticised the authorities for negotiating with the external party without reaching an understanding with their internal partner, and Hezbollah for coordinating with Iran without reaching an understanding with the other Lebanese forces.
