Lebanese Cabinet Approves Series of Government Appointments

The Lebanese cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister, approved a slate of appointments covering several public bodies. New officials were named for the Competition Council (chair and deputy), the Educational Research and Development Center, the Litani Water Authority, the Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport authority, the Lebanese Accreditation Council, and the board of the National Social Security Fund.

Health Minister Rakan Nasser al‑Din objected to the process, saying appointments were presented without prior ministerial review and demanding they be circulated two days in advance. He also voiced concerns over the cabinet’s handling of Israeli attacks on northern Lebanese towns. The cabinet also instructed the Agriculture Ministry to ban farms and slaughterhouses within a 5‑km radius of the airport after bird‑strike incidents. Discussions referenced ongoing negotiations in Rome on cease‑fire, borders, prisoners and experimental zones, with U.S. General Joseph Clarkefield expected in Beirut and President Michel Aoun’s recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted as a diplomatic success.