Lebanon's PM Outlines Sovereignty And Reform Drive To Restore Confidence For Investors

Dr. Nawaf Salam used a keynote address at the World Governments Summit 2026 to outline Lebanon’s new policy line. Dr. Salam stated that "the primary objective of the government is to restore the confidence of the Lebanese people first, followed by the confidence of our Arab nations and the international community, and to create a safe and attractive environment for investment."

The Prime Minister made clear that Beirut seeks close cooperation with Gulf partners on this agenda. Dr. Salam called on GCC countries to back Lebanon’s reform path and repeated that Lebanon will not be drawn into "a new regional adventure," stressing that decisions on war and peace now rest solely with the Lebanese state.

Speaking under the Summit theme "Shaping Future Governments," Dr. Salam linked economic recovery, investor confidence and political choices. He said the cabinet’s roadmap relies on two inseparable pillars: sovereignty and reform. According to Dr. Salam, this twin approach is designed to stabilise institutions, reassure regional partners and reopen channels for Lebanon investment flows.

During the session, moderated by journalist Imad El-Din Adeeb, Dr. Salam detailed what sovereignty means in practice. He said it involves restoring state authority over war and peace, asserting control over all Lebanese territory, and limiting the possession of weapons to the Lebanese Armed Forces, which Dr. Salam described as the central security actor.

The Prime Minister stressed that reform is not confined to fixing public finances or the banking sector. Dr. Salam said it also covers modernising public administration and reinforcing judicial independence. These institutional measures, he argued, are essential prerequisites to rebuild trust with investors and international partners considering Lebanon investment opportunities.

On the investment climate, Dr. Salam said that the state’s adherence to reform is the main safeguard for capital. He noted that the government has already moved ahead with steps such as creating regulatory authorities for key sectors and improving security conditions, which he described as decisive for investment decisions and long-term project planning.

Dr. Salam acknowledged that widespread corruption has been a central cause of collapsing confidence in Lebanese institutions. He said the approach to this problem is undergoing a fundamental shift, with the government seeking to change practices across the state. This shift is presented as part of the package aimed at reviving Lebanon investment interest.

While Lebanon remains exposed to regional tensions, Dr. Salam said the leadership is acting to shield the domestic arena. He explained that authorities are working to strengthen internal unity around state institutions, in order to limit the impact of external crises on Lebanon’s political scene, economy and emerging Lebanon investment commitments.

Closing his address, Dr. Salam urged GCC states to continue supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces as the cornerstone of sovereignty and internal stability. He issued a clear call to attend an upcoming conference in Paris for backing the Lebanese Army, and invited Gulf investors to look at Lebanon "with fresh eyes" and visit to examine opportunities already visible on the ground.

The World Governments Summit 2026 draws a wide international presence, underscoring the forum’s scale and audience for messages about Lebanon investment and reform. Participation includes more than 60 heads of state and government and their deputies, over 500 ministers, delegations from more than 150 governments, more than 80 international and regional organisations, and over 700 chief executives, with total attendance exceeding 6,250 people.

With inputs from WAM