Lead:

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam presided over a cabinet session that approved a comprehensive electricity sector policy paper, an internet expansion project, and the expansion of Beirut port, along with the appointment of a director general for the Public Consumer Markets Institution. The developments reflect government efforts to advance institutional reforms even as sharp political divisions emerge over implementation of the tripartite framework agreement with the United States and Israel.

Details:

According to reporting from multiple Lebanese news outlets, the cabinet session included ministers of finance Yaseen Jabbar, defense Michel Manssi, energy and water Joe Sadi, and tourism Laura Khazin, among others. The approval of the electricity policy marks a significant step in addressing Lebanon's chronic power crisis, with Energy Minister Joe Sadi having previously demanded that the state transfer fifty million dollars monthly to the Electricity of Lebanon utility to prevent deterioration of power supply. Sadi warned he would reconsider his position if payments were not made, underscoring the urgency of the sector's financial crisis.

However, these administrative advances mask deepening political fractures. According to Al-Akhbar reporting, Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc issued a statement rejecting the framework agreement and emphasizing the party's red lines, particularly regarding the withdrawal of Israeli forces before resolution of the weapons file. The statement dampened optimism generated by President Joseph Aoun's recent visit to Washington, where he met with President Donald Trump. Political sources cited by multiple outlets indicated the next negotiating round would represent the "first real test" of the implementation phase, with particular sensitivity surrounding the legal ambiguity around the Lebanese Army's authority to inspect private property in southern Lebanon.

UN Special Coordinator Jean Arnault met separately with Lebanese political leaders including Samir Geagea of the Lebanese Forces, who reaffirmed his party's clear support for a proposed amnesty law currently stalled in parliament. Some Sunni parliamentarians have proposed modifications to the law, including removal of the word "strict" from life sentences as an alternative to capital punishment, which could enable inclusion of some Islamic detainees. The cabinet session results suggest the government is proceeding with institutional work regardless of these political divisions.

Watch For:

The upcoming negotiating round in Rome between Lebanese and Israeli delegations, which sources indicate will test actual implementation capacity and resolve the sensitive question of army authority in private properties. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's reported planned visit to Lebanon to meet with Speaker Nabih Berri, which could signal American priorities in the next phase. Parliamentary action on the amnesty law, where technical amendments may unlock deadlocked votes.