October 27, 2026
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam is protecting his government from the continuing rumors about a possible ministerial reshuffle, retreating from the speculation that is renewed with every political or security crisis, especially in light of the existing differences between the components of the government, especially the differences between “Hezbollah” on the one hand, and the President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, on the other hand, against the backdrop of the approach to the file of negotiations with Israel.
In press statements by writer and journalist Radwan Aqeel published by “An-Nahar” newspaper, Salam settled the controversy, stressing that “everything that is said in this area is inaccurate, and there is no basis in truth to talk about a ministerial reshuffle from here or there,” stressing that his main focus is on “keeping pace with all files from the north to the south and confronting all open challenges and crises by continuing to work.”
On the other hand, behind-the-scenes data indicate that talk about the amendment has not disappeared from the partisan and presidential corridors since before the extension of the House of Representatives, an extension that formed a basis for the floatation of the government that has a clear Arab and Western cover. In this context, the proposals of Hezbollah seeking to overthrow the government in the street as an objection to direct negotiations were not achievable in practice, while Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri does not include overthrowing the government among his calculations, armed with the increasing pace of “positive chemistry” between him and Salam during the last two months.
At the level of political ambitions, those aspiring to reach the government palace, whether from inside or outside Parliament, realize that the decision is no longer 100 percent local, despite the names of MPs Fouad Makhzoumi and Faisal Karami being circulated to assume the presidency of the government, in addition to the preference of some blocs for the return of former Prime Minister Najib Mikati.
As for the “Lebanese Forces” party, it appears to be at the forefront of the parties around which speculation about change revolves, especially in light of talk of replacing Energy Minister Joe Al-Saddi. However, the facts confirm the exclusion of the “Forces” taking this step so that the matter is not interpreted as a retreat by its minister from performing his duties, as the party continues to defend its four ministers despite its reservations about the policy of the era and the presidency of the government, which were clearly demonstrated in the case of the Dahr al-Baydar explosives shipment, and its objection to the absence of Foreign Minister Youssef Raji from the negotiations file. However, “Forces” sources confirm that the option of resignation is completely excluded despite the withdrawal of its ministers from the last government session, in conjunction with the studied harmony recorded by Phalange Minister Adel Nassar with the first and third presidencies.
In parallel, opposition media and parliamentary circles continue to raise the cabinet reshuffle paper, amid accusations directed at the “Free Patriotic Movement” of being behind campaigns that targeted even ministers affiliated with Aoun and Berri. On the other hand, the replacement of any of the Sunni or Druze ministers remains outside the current calculations, with the various parties acknowledging that the fate of the government to remain or be modified is governed by equations that go beyond the borders of Parliament, and are directly affected by internal challenges and external interference.
It is noteworthy that previous government experiences witnessed precedents of resignations. In the government of President Hassan Diab, Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned, declaring that the government “works for many employers,” to be replaced by Charbel Wahba, who in turn resigned and Zeina Akar took over the management of the portfolio, while the recent government of President Najib Mikati witnessed the resignation of Information Minister George Qordahi, to be succeeded by Ziad Al-Makari.
