The Lebanese cabinet convened Thursday in a regular session at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Tammam Salam, where the ministers decided to set next Monday (June 01) as a date for a session dedicated to discuss the situation in the northeastern town of Arsal as well as the issue of the security appointments.
Following the session, Information Minister Ramzi Jreij said that the discussions over the aforementioned files were “calm and serious,” noting that a consensual decision is expected to be reached soon.
“At the beginning of the session, Salam stressed the need to elect a new president the soonest possible and called on the political forces to assume their responsibilities in this regard,” the minister added.
For his part, Education Minister Elias Bou Saab noted that “Defense Minister Samir Moqbel stressed that entering Arsal will be costly and requires a ministerial decision.”
Prior to the session, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel stressed that “the Lebanese army is ready and prepared to respond to any attack in Arsal and its neighboring region,” noting that he will explain the situation during the session.
“The army is under the authority of the government and will commit to any decision issued by the cabinet,” he added.
For his part, Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi pointed out that “Arsal is a red line,” stressing that “the State is above the statelet.”
In turn, Industry Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan said that Arsal is a Lebanese town occupied by terrorists.