Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasized in an interview with Al-Sharq Al-Awsat that Lebanon’s decisions are now taken in Beirut, within the Cabinet, and not elsewhere. He stated that the era of saying Iran controls four Arab capitals is over. Salam affirmed that the decision of war and peace now belongs to the Lebanese state, not Hezbollah. While acknowledging the right of Hezbollah supporters to protest against the government’s decision to limit weapons to the state, he stressed the importance of not blocking main roads, including threats to close Beirut airport roads. He spoke about his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharq in Damascus, expressing readiness to open a new chapter in Lebanese-Syrian relations based on mutual respect and non-interference. He also referred to unequal agreements imposed during the era of Syrian guardianship over Lebanon that need reconsideration.

Salam highlighted Saudi Arabia as a major Arab and international player and expressed keenness on relations with the Kingdom, hoping to soon lift the travel ban on Saudi citizens to Lebanon.