Prime Minister Nawaf Salam visited Nabatieh, inspecting recovery efforts and announcing 23 new tenders while addressing regional negotiations with Israel, relations with Iran, and domestic political alignment from Beirut.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam traveled to Nabatieh for his third visit to the city since taking office, leading a delegation of ministers and security officials to assess reconstruction and meet with local officials. Speaking in Nabatieh, the prime minister announced that the Council for Development and Reconstruction has launched 23 tenders across the Nabatieh district aimed at removing debris, clearing and paving roads, rehabilitating shelter centers, and supplying ambulances, medical devices, and satellite communication equipment.
The visit included the reopening of key state security and civil registration offices following repairs to the local government serail facilitated by the Hosseini Club, alongside upcoming plans to reopen the Palace of Justice. Salam acknowledged that the initial package of projects remains limited relative to the scale of destruction in the south, but emphasized that state institutions are returning to active service to support local residents.
Finance Minister Yassin Jaber defended the administration’s localized outreach against critics who questioned the utility of executive visits, stating that the Prime Minister’s travel was intended for direct implementation rather than press statements.
Yassin Jaber told Annahar that The Prime Minister and all concerned administrations are focusing on Nabatieh, and these visits are not for show or for making media statements that will not be implemented.
Political Receptions and Divergent Local Reactions in Nabatieh
Salam’s presence in Nabatieh drew varied responses from residents. While many locals welcomed state engagement and the pursuit of diplomatic withdrawal options to secure an end to Israeli military actions, other citizens expressed sharp anger, holding the government responsible for wartime damage and shouting hostile accusations.
In Beirut, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri hosted Salam at Ein el-Tineh, signaling continued high-level communication despite underlying tensions between the government and the Shiite political duo. The meeting followed a broadcast appearance by Salam on the National Broadcasting Network, a channel associated with Berri, allowing the prime minister to address southern constituents directly.
Ali Fadlallah welcomed the governmental outreach as a step toward bridging past administrative estrangement from the south.
We welcome every step that contributes to supporting the people and enhancing their resilience in the face of the Israeli aggression they are subjected to. It is natural for the government to stand by its people, especially under these circumstances, and to work to protect them and secure all the elements of their resilience. According
Border Frameworks, Sovereignty, and Reconstruction Funding Plans
Addressing the diplomatic track during his NBN appearance, Salam emphasized reciprocity and phased timelines regarding Israeli military withdrawals to internationally recognized borders. He reiterated that state authority across Lebanese territory is an internal commitment originating from the 1989 Taif Agreement and reaffirmed in the November 2024 cessation of hostilities agreement, distinct from border negotiations.
Because domestic resources remain limited, the government is actively seeking external financing through international partners and multilateral institutions.
Relations with Tehran and Diplomatic Representation
On diplomatic relations with Iran, Salam stated that he met with the Iranian president in New York upon request, expressing a desire to establish a bilateral relationship grounded in mutual respect and non-interference mirroring Lebanon’s policy of regional neutrality.
While the current Iranian ambassador’s residency was temporarily extended for three months as a private citizen, Salam expressed a preference for Tehran to appoint a new ambassador to facilitate a fresh diplomatic chapter. He added that restrictions on Iranian flights remain strictly tied to passenger safety protocols at Beirut’s airport.
