The Council of Ministers on Thursday approved the promulgation of the 2025 budget by decree, as well as the temporary extension of the mandates of ambassadors from outside the cadre.
At its first session after gaining the parliament’s vote of confidence held at the Baabda Palace, the Cabinet went through twenty-two items on its agenda.
Speaking at the end of the session, chaired by President Joseph Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced the launch of a reform program based on his government’s policy statement. He also stressed the importance of pursuing the implementation of the reforms as stipulated by the Taif Agreement, stressing that the promulgation of the budget by decree is meant to avoid any delay in procedures.
For his part, Information Minister Paul Morcos pointed out that President Aoun briefed the Cabinet on his visit and the various meetings he had in Saudi Arabia on Monday, and during his participation in the Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday.
“President Aoun indicated that reforms are essentially a Lebanese requirement and expressed the hope that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad ben Salman would lift the travel ban to Lebanon and facilitate the export of Lebanese products to the kingdom,” Morcos said.
He added, “President Aoun also confirmed that a second visit to Saudi Arabia was planned after the Fitr holiday, with the participation of several ministers, during which numerous agreements would be signed between the two countries.”
The Minister noted that the Head of State had insisted on the confidentiality of deliberations taking place during Cabinet sessions, and concluded by announcing the approval of a bill exempting victims of the recent war with Israel from certain taxes.
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