Cabinet decided Thursday in a session at the presidential palace to postpone referring Hezbollah's explosives case to the Judicial Council until investigations are concluded, prompting Lebanese Forces ministers to walk out of the session in protest.
Local media reported on Thursday and Friday that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri had advised Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun against referring the case to the Judicial Council — the country’s highest criminal court for national security issues — to avoid a confrontation with Hezbollah.
Reports said Amal and Hezbollah ministers participated in the session after receiving guarantees that there would be no surprise vote on the referral.
Before the session, Berri voiced his support for Lebanon's army — tasked with dismantling Hezbollah's weapons in southern Lebanon. "The army is a red line," he said.
During Thursday's session, Aoun praised Berri's stance on supporting the Lebanese Army, safeguarding civil peace, and remaining open to dialogue, while PM Salam reaffirmed his rejection of the storage and transport of illegal arms.