Lebanese Cabinet divided over explosives seizure investigation

A Lebanese cabinet session held at Baabda Palace has faced political division following the seizure of a truck containing explosives in Dahr al-Bidr, which Hezbollah has acknowledged as its own. The dispute centers on whether the case should be immediately referred to the Supreme Judicial Council.

Ministers from the Lebanese Forces party withdrew from the session in protest of the decision to delay the referral. While Justice Minister Adel Nassar intends to re-submit the request for referral to the Supreme Judicial Council next week, President Joseph Aoun has expressed a preference for allowing ongoing investigations to conclude first.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam addressed the issue by emphasizing the principle of the state's exclusivity over weapons. He stated that the legal authority to carry arms is strictly limited to the Lebanese Army and internal security forces, asserting that the unauthorized transport or storage of weapons poses a threat to public safety and national security.