What did Lebanese government approve on Thursday?

The Lebanese government on Thursday endorsed the “objectives” of the U.S. paper presented by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, despite a walkout by the ministers of Hezbollah and the Amal Movement.

The implementation timetable will depend on a Lebanese Army plan that is supposed to be submitted to Cabinet before the end of this month.

Below are the objectives as announced by the Presidency and the Premiership:

- Lebanon's implementation of the National Accord Document, known as the Taif Agreement, the Lebanese Constitution, and Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution 1701, and taking the necessary steps to fully extend its sovereignty over all its territory, with the aim of strengthening the role of legitimate institutions, establishing the state's exclusive authority to make decisions of war and peace, and ensuring that the possession of weapons is restricted to the state alone throughout Lebanon.

- Ensuring the cessation of hostilities, including all land, air and sea violations, through systematic steps leading to a permanent, comprehensive and guaranteed solution.

- The gradual end of the armed presence of all non-state actors, including Hezbollah, throughout Lebanese territory, south and north of the Litani River, while providing support to the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces.

- The deployment of the Lebanese Army in the border areas and key internal locations, with appropriate support for the Lebanese Army and the security forces.

- Israel's withdrawal from the "Five Points" and the settlement of border and prisoner issues by diplomatic means through indirect negotiations.

- An economic conference will be held with the participation of the United States, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other friends of Lebanon to support the Lebanese economy and rebuild it so that it can return to being a prosperous and viable country, as called for by U.S. President Donald Trump.