Tuesday's cabinet session: Latest developments

The call for Tuesday’s crucial cabinet on Hezbollah’s arms “was not preceded by any agreement, seeing as contacts intensified after PM Nawaf Salam declared the date,” political sources said.

“There is no final agreement on an exit for the session and Hezbollah is linking its participation to the outcome of talks, while showing openness to a formula that would approve arms monopolization,” the sources told Al-Jadeed TV.

“Hezbollah and the Amal Movement have agreed to have a common stance on the session, which means to attend, not attend or boycott the government if needed,” the sources said.

“MP Mohammad Raad agreed with Speaker Nabih Berri to carry out contacts to contain the repercussions of Tuesday’s session, and he discussed its agenda with President Joseph Aoun in Baabda and it was agreed to work on avoiding any domestic deterioration,” the sources added.

The sources also revealed that “a meeting is expected between the president and the parliament speaker to discuss the course of Tuesday’s session and the best scenario to tackle the file of arms.”

Informed sources meanwhile told Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV that the meetings of Raad with Aoun and Wafiq Safa with the army chief had been scheduled prior to the president’s Army Day speech.

“Hezbollah’s stance in the two meetings was clear and firm: Hezbollah knows the magnitude of pressures and is ready for discussions,” the sources said.