MP Fouad Makhzoumi led a delegation from the Beirut Dialogue Forum and the Beirut Gathering on a visit to Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at the Grand Serail.

Following the meeting, MP Makhzoumi made the following statements:

1. He expressed his full support for the government decision issued on August 5, 2025, regarding placing all weapons under the authority of the state. He stressed the need to implement the decision immediately and without delay, as a fundamental step toward restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and the state’s authority.

2. He commended the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to advance the government’s full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 and the agreement to cease hostilities between Lebanon and Israel, signed by the Lebanese government on November 27, 2024. He described these as essential frameworks for securing the borders and protecting Lebanon from internal and external threats.

3. He categorically rejected any attempt to return to the pre-Taif Agreement era, whether in form or substance. He affirmed that the agreement, enshrined in the Lebanese Constitution, constitutes the foundation for any political stability and that its provisions are not open to compromise. He particularly emphasized the statement in its preamble that Lebanon is a final homeland for all its citizens and is Arab in identity and affiliation, as well as the powers vested in the Council of Ministers.

4. He stressed the need to adopt a binding timetable for the surrender of all unauthorized weapons and for ensuring that weapons are held exclusively by the state, describing this as an indispensable condition for building a strong state and a unified nation.

5. He expressed his profound appreciation for the positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership and its people, in providing continued support to Lebanon and its institutions. He highlighted the Kingdom’s pivotal role in promoting Lebanon’s political and economic stability and its steadfast support for the Lebanese people during the most difficult circumstances.

6. He warned against the continued spread of the cash-based economy, citing the threat it poses to transparency and financial stability. He called for an urgent and comprehensive plan to curb its expansion, alongside banking sector reform and stronger oversight mechanisms for the sources of funds in line with international standards. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that depositors’ funds are returned.

7. He reiterated that he consistently raises the development-related issues and challenges Beirut residents face in their daily lives, foremost among them the worsening waste crisis following the closure of the Jdeideh landfill. He called on the relevant authorities to implement swift and sustainable solutions that protect citizens’ health and safety while preserving the city’s environment.