President General Joseph Aoun offered his condolences to the ministers of National Defence and of Interior and Municipalities, the Lebanese Army Commander, and the Director-General of Civil Defence over the martyrdom of elements of the Lebanese Army and Civil Defence in the South. At the beginning of the Council of Ministers session held this afternoon at the Baabda Palace—attended in part by Banque du Liban Governor Karim Said—President Aoun emphasized that he and Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam are closely following the situation in the South, and that he is in contact with Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Nada Hamadeh Maawad, urging her to work continuously with the US administration to pressure Israel into committing to a ceasefire. Prime Minister Salam, for his part, pointed out that Lebanon has not yet entered negotiations, "and we are still in the stage of preparatory meetings in Washington, while our priority remains a ceasefire so that we can launch the negotiations." Prior to the session, President Aoun met with Prime Minister Salam and discussed with him the items on the meeting's agenda. Decisions After the session ended, Minister of Information Paul Morcos read out the decisions of the Council of Ministers, saying: "The Council of Ministers held its weekly session at the Presidential Palace under the chairmanship of His Excellency the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and in the presence of Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam and the ministers. At the beginning of the session, His Excellency the President offered his condolences to each of: His Excellency the Minister of National Defence, the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, the Army Commander, and the Director-General of Civil Defence, over the martyrdom of elements of the Lebanese Army and Civil Defence in the South, asking mercy for the martyrs and patience and solace for their families. He also extended greetings and appreciation to the workers of Lebanon on their holiday on the 1st of May, praising their efforts and considering them Lebanon's economic pillar, noting that by continuing to perform their work despite all difficult and harsh conditions—including economic and financial conditions—they contribute to Lebanon's ability to endure, and pointing out that the government stands by them and is trying to support them as much as possible, according to available means. His Excellency the President emphasized that he and the Prime Minister are following the situation in the South, and that he is conducting contacts with Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington, Ambassador Nada Hamadeh Maawad, to urge her to work continuously with the US administration to pressure Israel into committing to a ceasefire. Then the Prime Minister spoke, touching upon the issue of negotiations, explaining that Lebanon has not yet entered negotiations, 'and we are still in the stage of preparatory meetings in Washington, and our priority remains a ceasefire so that we can launch the negotiations aimed at addressing the root of the conflict between Lebanon and Israel.' Then the Council of Ministers adopted a set of decisions, including: - Appointing the Public Prosecutor at the Court of Cassation, Judge Ahmed Rami Al-Hajj. - Appointing the Head of the Judicial Inspection Board, Judge Osama Mneimneh, with his term beginning upon the expiration of the current president's term. - The Council of Ministers approved the request of the Ministry of Finance endorsing a draft law aimed at amending certain articles of Law No. 23 dated 14/8/2025 concerning the restructuring and rehabilitation of the banking sector in Lebanon. - The Council of Ministers approved the request of the National Commission for Lebanese Women endorsing the draft Second National Action Plan 2026-2030 for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. - The Council also approved educational grants from the French Development Agency regarding the support of the educational program in Lebanon. - It also approved accepting a German grant for the Lebanese Army, and a Chinese grant presented to the Council for Development and Reconstruction in the field of humanitarian aid projects and developmental cooperation. - On the subject of Télé Liban, and after the Council of Ministers listened to the presentation by the Minister of Information regarding the dismissal of television employees who have reached or will reach retirement age, and due to pressing economic and living conditions, the Council decided to request the Minister of Information to take the necessary measures to suspend the dismissal process of Télé Liban employees until further notice, provided that the suspension process is organized and a decision to reactivate them is made by the Minister and communicated to the television management." Dialogue Minister Morcos then held the following exchange with journalists: Asked: What are the amendments that affected the bank restructuring law? And it was said that Hezbollah ministers objected to the issue of combating money laundering, so what happened? He answered: The issue of amendments relates to the law on reforming the status of banks in Lebanon and reorganizing them, and this is a law issued under number 23/2025, which includes two articles that were the subject of extensive discussion between His Excellency the President, the Prime Minister, and the Banque du Liban Governor. The draft law was adopted as received and referred to Parliament to re-amend these two articles after consultations held with the IMF. As for what concerns bodies, institutions, associations, and all corporate entities that may be established or operating without a license, the Governor presented the data being discussed with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), whose requirements include subjecting all relevant institutions to the supervision of Banque du Liban and prior licensing by the Bank. In this context, the government will examine the recommendations to be submitted by the ministerial committee specialized in this regard. Asked: There is an item related to amending the public service law in Lebanon to allow those over 39 years old to be appointed to the first category from outside the cadre. Is this not considered part of a lack of reform? He answered: The Council discussed this matter at length, and it was deemed appropriate to proceed with the draft law to make the age range between 35 and 54 years in light of the presented positives and the return to public administration, noting that the percentages from outside the cadre remained the same. Asked: Is it true that ministers asked the President and Prime Minister whether they received the US State Department document that includes freedom of Israeli movement in Lebanon, and what was the answer? He answered: The answer was that, just as Lebanon's Ambassador to Washington announced the Lebanese position following the first meeting, this position has not changed in this context, and we have not yet entered into the core of negotiations. After the first meeting, there was adherence to the cessation of hostilities (the November 2024 agreement), knowing that the right to self-defense is stipulated in the United Nations Charter, and we are committed to these provisions contained in the arrangements regarding the cessation of hostilities in 2024. Asked: The Minister of Education said that official exams for high school certificates are taking place. He answered: This matter was not discussed. Asked: Does Lebanon agree with the US State Department statement in light of daily Israeli violations? He answered: His Excellency the President paused at the continuation of Israeli attacks, and emphasized with the Prime Minister and the government Lebanon's adherence to the cessation of hostilities and the consolidation of the ceasefire, pointing to the numerous contacts he is making to exert pressure in this direction. Asked: What the President of the Republic mentioned two days ago about a clause in the statement—there is a right to self-defense for Israel. Was the Lebanese Ambassador informed of this clause before the statement was issued? He answered: The right to self-defense is stipulated in the United Nations Charter, as the Prime Minister said in this session. And I reiterate our adherence to the arrangements related to the cessation of hostilities in the 2024 agreement. Asked: Is the right to self-defense currently in place? He answered: This is a right, we do not change it, and there are verbatim words by the Prime Minister in this regard. Asked: According to the American statement, the Lebanese government agreed to the clauses stipulating that Hezbollah is a common enemy, and to freedom of Israeli action in Lebanon and others... and no official position has been issued by the government denying this matter. He answered: I have previously answered this point, and I affirm that, following the deliberations that took place in the government, we adhere to what was issued by the Lebanese Ambassador in Washington at the end of the first meeting, and the statement was issued by the US State Department and summarized the positions it attributed to the concerned parties in the meetings.