At the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, Lebanon’s Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, delivered a forceful address today (Tuesday), declaring that Lebanon’s national project demands a “liberation from the duality of arms”—a direct reference to Hezbollah’s continued weapons stockpile beyond the state’s authority.
He stated, “Our project is built on the link between reform and sovereignty, which requires the exclusive possession of arms by the state,” warning that the current reality “has led to dual decision-making and the loss of the nation-state project.”
A Vision for a New Future
Salam emphasized that his vision for Lebanon is not a fantasy: “Not a country of quotas and clientelism, but a state of law, institutions, and sovereignty—one that takes full responsibility for its decisions, both in peace and in war.”
He added that Lebanon aspires to reclaim its traditional role as a communications bridge between East and West—rooted in its Arab identity and open to the world.
من كلمتي في “قمة الإعلام العربي” في دبي:
أتحدث إليكم اليوم من خلفية رجل قانون، تعلّم أن الحقيقة لا تُبنى على الظنون، وأن المسار نحو العدالة يبدأ بالتجرّد عن الأهواء وعن اية مصالح شخصية، وبتقديس للوقائع والأدلّة. وهذه هي المهمة النبيلة التي يتقاسمها رجال القانون والصحافة معاً:… pic.twitter.com/ovPPs7dGyD— Nawaf Salam نواف سلام (@nawafasalam) May 27, 2025
In regard to regional relations, Salam stressed that Lebanon is “exhausted by wars, divisions, and guardianship” and now seeks “to reclaim itself—its voice and its state.”
He asserted that following Lebanon’s return “to the Arab fold,” it is striving for genuine partnerships with Arab countries—not merely based on aid, but on integration and collaboration.
Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam:
“We want #Lebanon to be a state of decision-making, not a battleground for conflicts.
Lebanon’s project is based on the interdependence of reform and sovereignty, which requires the exclusivity of weapons. pic.twitter.com/Xqjw9PdZfF
— Arab Daily Scoop (@Arabdailyscoop) May 27, 2025
Commitment to Peace
On the issue of Israel, Salam stated that Lebanon “is working toward the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and is committed to halting acts of hostility.”
Lebanon as a State of Free Media
In another part of his address, Salam spoke about the importance of free and responsible media as an essential component of Lebanon’s recovery and reform. “The battle we are waging in Lebanon is not just economic or political—it is a battle over consciousness, a battle of words.”
He urged the media to take part in shaping the country’s future—not through political loyalty, but through a commitment to truth, integrity, and professionalism.
The Need to Combat Extremism
During the summit, Salam met with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb. The two discussed developments in Lebanon and across the region, emphasizing the need to fight extremism and promote a culture of dialogue. Salam extended an official invitation for Sheikh el-Tayeb to visit Lebanon, which the Imam pledged to accept in the near future.
