Lebanese President Michel Aoun will place the file of “Hezbollah’s” arms on the negotiation table following the May 6 parliamentary elections. On Monday, the President said his country demands “the necessary international support for the Lebanese armed forces so that they are able to carry on assuming their duty of preserving security and stability nationwide through the national defense strategy. The strategy will also be placed on the table after the legislative elections, he added. Lebanon is sending several positive messages to assure the international community ahead of the Rome II conference, expected on Wednesday in the Italian capital. On Monday, the cabinet approved the 2018 draft state budget, referring it to parliament for endorsement. Prime Minister Saad Hariri said all ministries have committed to reducing the budget by 20 percent, thanking Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil and his team for their tireless efforts in accomplishing state budget.
 The budget’s approval comes around 20 days prior to holding the Paris IV conference, expected on April 6 to garner more economic support for Lebanon. Acting UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Pernille Dahler Kardel welcomed the measures, saying: "I am very encouraged to see that preparations for the budget are underway. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Lebanese government for its preparations ahead of the May 6 elections.” State Minister for Combating Corruption Nicolas Tueni told Asharq Al-Awsat on Monday that the government measures “assert the presence of a national will to fight corruption.”