Beirut: Representing Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Minister of Information, Dr. Paul Morcos, on Thursday delivered a keynote address at the Grand Serail during the closing ceremony of 'ARZ 2025' counter-terrorism and CBRN emergency response exercise. Morcos praised the European Union, the UN regional institutes, and all Lebanese agencies involved, emphasizing that the drill demonstrated Lebanon's capacity to respond professionally to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats despite difficult national circumstances.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Morcos highlighted the persistence of Lebanese security and civil institutions in strengthening their capabilities and maintaining stability, underlining strong international confidence in Lebanon's evolving CBRN architecture. Morcos recalled Lebanon's commitments under international treaties on non-proliferation and counter-terrorism, stressing that the country has built a comprehensive national CBRN system directly linked to the Prime Minister's Office, an inter-agency structure established in 2013, expanded in 2018, and fully institutionalized in 2022.
The Minister noted that the Cabinet had just approved the National CBRN Risk Reduction Plan 2025-2029, assigning its implementation to the National Authority. Morcos called for continued donor support to further develop tools, infrastructure, and training for Lebanese institutions, reaffirming the government's determination to uphold international obligations and safeguard national security.