Beirut: MPs used Parliament's general debate session on Wednesday to press Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government for faster implementation of reforms, stronger state authority, and concrete measures to address Lebanon's economic and social crises.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, MP Imad Al-Hout called for a clear reform timetable, a national security strategy, and exclusive state responsibility for protecting Lebanon. MP Farid Boustany urged the government to move from planning to implementation, proposing a three-year budget framework, public-sector restructuring, and a resolution of the depositors' crisis.

MP Antoine Habchi mentioned that the government's performance would ultimately be judged by implementation of its decision to establish exclusive state control over weapons, while MP Pierre Bou Assi warned that failure to implement that decision would undermine investment prospects. MP Michel Douaihy supported the government's sovereign decisions but emphasized that implementation remained essential.

Separately, MP Marwan Hamadeh condemned recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and expressed solidarity with the kingdom, attributing the attacks to Iran-backed groups in the region. MP Charbel Massaad called on the government to adopt "economic and financial policies that preserve citizens' purchasing power."

MP Michel Moawad stated from Parliament that "the solution lies in sovereignty, peace, and reform," calling for "extending state authority without delay." MP Qassem Hashem urged the government "to adopt a comprehensive emergency plan alongside a sustainable national policy for the South, enabling people to remain on their land."

MP Taha Naji expressed concern over the depositors' crisis, questioning whether depositors would recover their funds or if their money would be left to their heirs. MP Yassin Yassin asserted that the current tenure and government are not responsible for the destruction and collapse, attributing blame to successive previous governments and the deep state within the judiciary, security agencies, and institutions.

MP Hani Qobeissi emphasized the need for national solidarity in the South, stating "the South needs internal solidarity and national unity more than ever." MP Halima Kaakour stressed that "Iran must not negotiate on behalf of Lebanon; Lebanon must negotiate for itself."

Criticizing the "framework agreement," MP Kaakour insisted that opposition to the agreement should not prevent continued commitment to the state's exclusive control over weapons and its decision-making authority. MP Ghassan Hasbani remarked that the government had "taken historic decisions to place weapons exclusively under state control," emphasizing that "the question today is not what you decided, but what you have implemented?"

MP Elias Hankash called for achieving balanced development across all Lebanese regions, particularly in the Metn region, and urged the implementation of weapons' control decision across all Lebanese territories. MP Raed Berro criticized the government's performance as "weak and below the required level."

MP Elias Estephan questioned the government on the implementation of decisions already taken, asking about the timeline, and what obstacles are hindering the completion of the required measures. MP Adnan Traboulsi called for a long-term plan to address the water issue in the city of Beirut.