Lebanese Prime Minister Sa’ad Hariri pledged on Tuesday that the new government will protect the country’s sovereignty, in addition to other measures.
“We will not spare any efforts in protecting our country against the enemy, who is looking to exploit our natural resources and wealth,” said Hariri during a parliamentary session.
This likely includes the conflict between Lebanon and Syria over who controls the Sheba’a farms area.
Hariri reiterated his pledge to institute change. “It is the responsibility of all parties to undertake the necessary reforms in a bid not to waste the opportunity that we have today,” he added.
Lebanon has one of the highest public debts in the world.
The prime minister also said his government would still be neutral in regional conflicts, while furthering ties with other countries and the European Union.
Earlier this month, Lebanon, after nine grueling months, formed a unity government that includes the U.S.-designated terrorist group Hezbollah, whose allies took over 18 ministries.
For Hezbollah itself, Mahmoud Qmati became State Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, while Mohammad Fneish took over the Youth and Sports portfolio.