Israel releases two Palestinians after raiding their bookshop in East Jerusalem

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has told ministers in the country’s new government that their “loyalty and allegiance must be to the state alone, not to any other entity.”

Speaking after the official group photo in the presidential palace courtyard, Aoun also told the 24 ministers in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government that they “are here to serve the people, not the other way around.”

“The key issue is not just the formation of the government but proving credibility by initiating anti-corruption efforts and carrying out administrative, judicial, and security appointments,” he said.

Aoun urged ministers to focus on urgent issues, primarily the state budget, municipal and local elections, and the Israeli withdrawal on Feb. 18.

During the first government session, Aoun said that ministers should “refrain from directing any criticism toward friendly and brotherly nations,” adding that Lebanon should not be used as a “platform for such criticisms.”

Salam’s government, the first under Aoun’s presidency, does not include direct party members but rather specialists nominated by political parties.

Aoun said “the country is not bankrupt, but the administration is,” highlighting the need to revive the nation through reforms that ministers and the government will work to implement.

“Our focus will be on reforming and developing the ministries in light of the significant international support we have received. The opportunities are available to seize this support, provided we carry out the necessary reforms,” he said.‏

In turn, Salam called on the ministers “to ensure a complete separation between public and private work.”

He added: “To avoid any confusion, ministers must fully dedicate themselves to their governmental duties and step down from any leadership or board positions in commercial companies or banks.”

However, Salam added that “this does not apply to memberships in educational or social organizations that serve the public good.”

Following the meeting, Minister of Information Paul Morcos confirmed that a ministerial committee had been set up to draft a constitutional statement that is expected to be completed within days.

Morcos said that “the prime minister assured the ministers that this is not a time for political bickering, and that there won’t be any obstructions.”

He said that “many ideas are being discussed, and solutions will ultimately be reached.”

A political source said the ministerial statement will “emphasize the need to dismantle the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territories and implement Resolution 1701,” as outlined in the president’s oath speech.

Joe Al-Khoury, the newly appointed industry minister, described the session as “an excellent start.”

Tarek Mitri, deputy prime minister, said that the first meeting of the ministerial committee tasked with drafting the ministerial statement “will be held in the afternoon.”

Salam received a congratulatory phone call from Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, UAE foreign minister, on the formation of the new government.

While the handover process continues between outgoing and incoming ministers, the government must secure the confidence of parliament after presenting the ministerial statement before it can officially begin its work.

In a notable development, the Cassation Public Prosecutor Jamal Hajjar, received for the first time a memorandum of formal defenses from Judge Tarek Bitar, investigative judge in the Beirut port explosion case, submitted by one of the defendants.

This step has been regarded as a “restoration of the investigation sessions regarding the port to the proper legal procedures, after the former Cassation Public Prosecutor Ghassan Oueidat refrained from accepting any documents from Judge Bitar.”

Bitar resumed his examination of the case last Friday after a hiatus that lasted over three years.

The Lebanese National News Agency reported that Bitar questioned several defendants, including current and former employees and officers of the customs department, at the beginning of the week.

On Aug. 4, 2020, a catastrophic explosion at the port of Beirut devastated the city’s waterfront, killing more than 230 people and injuring thousands.

However, the investigation into the blast, which included charges against a former prime minister, ministers, and high-ranking officials for administrative negligence, has been suspended since the end of 2021 due to lawsuits filed against Bitar.

Hezbollah and the Amal Movement also attempted to intimidate Bitar through warnings from the Beirut Palace of Justice, as well as armed protests demanding his resignation, which escalated into violent clashes known as the Tayouneh Incident.