Lebanon succeeded in containing the repercussions of the political crisis that erupted against the backdrop of the decision to expel the Iranian ambassador from Beirut, by reactivating the government’s work and resuming the participation of the “Shiite duo” ministers in the cabinet sessions, as part of a political solution that reduced the tension within the executive authority, according to what was stated in an article by the writer Nazir Reda in the “Asharq Al-Awsat” newspaper.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired a government session in which the ministers of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement participated, after they had boycotted the previous session in protest against the Foreign Ministry’s decision to consider the Iranian ambassador, Muhammad Reza Shaybani, “persona non grata,” which led to a political crisis between the “Shiite duo” and the rest of the government components.
The political contacts that took place during the past week led to what resembled a “settlement” based on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs not retracting its decision, in exchange for the Iranian ambassador not leaving Lebanese territory, allowing for the resumption of government work.
Ministerial sources who participated in the session revealed that the ambassador’s file “was left to be dealt with through political communication between the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nabih Berri,” in a move that reflects the neutralization of this file from the cabinet table, in exchange for the resumption of ministers’ participation in the sessions. This outcome came as a result of contacts between the political forces and the Presidents of the Republic and the Government.
In parallel, the Council of Ministers discussed regular items, including approving two loans for the benefit of the Ministries of Finance and Health. The issue of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sending a letter to the Security Council and the Secretary-General of the United Nations attached to the government’s decision issued on March 2, which stipulates a ban on Hezbollah’s military activities, was also discussed.
The sources explained that Foreign Minister Youssef Raji and the Prime Minister confirmed that this letter is “routine and has no legal consequences,” pointing out its connection to the implementation of Resolution 1701 issued after the July 2006 war.
On the other hand, a minister representing the “Shiite duo” indicated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the government decision itself had not actually been discussed, pointing out that discussion of it “will not take place in light of the war,” and that it will be re-raised later, which reflects that the issue of separating the political and military wings of “Hezbollah” remains a controversial issue postponed until after the end of the war, in light of the party’s rejection of it.
On March 2, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent a letter to the United Nations and the Security Council, informing them of the government’s decision to ban Hezbollah’s military and security activities and obliging it to surrender its weapons, demanding that the letter be circulated as an official document within the work of the General Assembly and the Security Council.
At the beginning of the session, the Prime Minister said that Lebanon had spent a month in a “destructive war” imposed on it, stressing that the Council of Ministers renewed its rejection of any military action outside state institutions, and stressing that the decision on war and peace must remain exclusively in the hands of the state.
He added that Lebanon has become “a victim of a war whose results or end date cannot be predicted,” calling for intensifying political and diplomatic efforts to stop the war and mobilize Arab and international support, in light of the escalation of regional tensions.
Salam stressed the need to condemn the ongoing violations of international law, considering that linking the Lebanese arena to regional conflicts does not serve the national interest, especially in light of the announcement of joint and simultaneous military operations with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
