Lebanon's Minister of Labor, Mohammad Haidar, stated that his withdrawal from the government session, along with other ministers, was in protest of the discussion of the item concerning the army's set plan, which is linked to previous decisions regarding the exclusive right of the state to bear arms.

Haidar confirmed in a statement to Al Mayadeen that his move was consistent with his long-held positions and was not intended as a criticism of the military institution. He clarified that they had withdrawn from the session but not from the government and that their final stance would be determined once the session concluded and its decisions were officially announced.

He added that the topic of resigning from the government was not currently under consideration, clarifying that his withdrawal was not a protest against the content of the army plan, which had not yet been presented, but rather was an objection to the principle of holding the discussion itself.

Some Lebanese sides provide justification for 'Israel'

For his part, Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Amin Sherri stated in an interview for Al Mayadeen that they remain part of the government up to this moment and that what transpired was a boycott of the session. He further questioned whether the Lebanese foreign minister was aware that martyrs are falling every day, arguing that his positions reflect both a geographical and national disconnect.

Sherri went on to say that it is unfortunate that some ministers or political factions in the country are, in his view, providing justifications for "Israel", stressing that this is completely unacceptable under the current circumstances. 

The MP also revealed that an understanding had been reached with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri to attend the government session since it would be discussing several items, with the agreement that the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc's representatives would withdraw once the discussion of the army plan began.

Sherri also pointed out that the American pressure is one-sided and that it is the Americans who are drawing up the Israeli plan for both Lebanon and Syria. He added that while the Lebanese Army leadership under General Joseph Aoun is keen on maintaining civil peace, he and his bloc are equally committed to civil peace but believe the government of Nawaf Salam must correct its course.

Lebanon's interests, civil peace, reign above all: Minister Fadi Makki

Meanwhile, the minister of administrative reform, Fadi Makki, stated that "In light of the current situation and the withdrawal of a key component, I cannot bear the burden of such a decision and have decided to withdraw from the Cabinet session."

The minister called for "thoughtful discussion" stemming from the interests of the nation, the South, and prioritizing Lebanon's civil peace above all other considerations. Reinforcing his statement, Makki declared that "If my resignation from the Lebanese government serves the national interest, I am prepared to place it at the disposal of the president and the prime minister."

The minister ended by repeating his request that political leaders and other ministers discuss the weapons exclusivity proposal, reminding them that they had all already agreed to the ministerial statement that should guide these conversations.

Hezbollah, Amal ministers withdraw from government session

Earlier, on September 5, the four ministers representing Amal and Hezbollah, along with a fifth independent minister, Fadi Makki, withdrew from the Lebanese government's session and subsequently departed the Baabda Presidential Palace in protest of the agenda item concerning the army's plan to assert the state's exclusive authority over arms.

According to an earlier report from Al Mayadeen's correspondent, the ministers representing Amal and Hezbollah were prepared to refuse any discussion of the army's plan, characterizing it as an "executive tool" for what they considered an unconstitutional government decision.

Following the government session on August 5, during which Hezbollah and Amal ministers withdrew from the meeting, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had announced that the army was tasked with developing an implementation plan for the state's exclusive authority over weapons by the end of last month.