Mikati condemns Israeli aggression in South Lebanon, calls for international intervention

NNA – Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Friday began the cabinet session with a strong condemnation of ongoing Israeli attacks on South Lebanon. He emphasized that these deliberate killings, destruction of towns, and burning of crops are not only condemnable, but also constitute a destructive and terrorist aggression that the international community must halt. Mikati reiterated Lebanon's commitment to fully implementing UN Resolution 1701.

The PM then expressed gratitude to friendly nations for their efforts to halt Israeli aggression and welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2732, which outlines a roadmap to cease the fighting in Gaza. He urged for its swift implementation to prevent a broader regional conflict.

This week, Mikati attended the "Emergency Humanitarian Response in Gaza" conference in Jordan, where Lebanon's presence and stance were reinforced. He emphasized the need for continued support for Lebanon and pressure on Israel. The conference laid the groundwork for another event to launch a support campaign for Gaza and affected areas.

Mikati further highlighted the prolonged vacancy in Lebanon's presidency, urging all parties to engage in dialogue to elect a new president and restore stability to the country's institutions. He welcomed and appreciated all initiatives towards this goal.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the Internal Security Forces on their anniversary, thanking the UAE for its support and commending Qatar for its continuous efforts to enhance the capabilities of the Lebanese Army.

He celebrated the recognition of the Lebanese University by QS Rankings for 2025 as the top institution in Lebanon for its professional and academic reputation.

Mikati went on to address the proposal from the Ministry of Economy and Trade regarding Qatar Electricity's offer. He detailed the steps taken to negotiate the development of 100 MW of solar power in two locations, highlighting the need for legal and contractual clarity. He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.

Looking ahead to the summer tourism season, Mikati praised the efforts of the Minister of Tourism and expressed hope for a successful season that would bolster Lebanon's status on the global tourism map, welcoming both Lebanese expatriates and Arab visitors.

Mikati concluded by reaffirming his respect for the judiciary amid recent political debates, clarifying the government's position on legal matters related to old rent laws and teachers. He extended his best wishes to all the Lebanese for a peaceful and blessed Eid al-Adha.
Mikati at “Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza” conference in Jordan: Our south and its people are in a real catastrophe

NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Tuesday delivered a word at the  ‘Urgent Humanitarian Response for Gaza’ Conference, held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center in the Dead Sea, Jordan, saying, “We are meeting today to support the people of Gaza in the face of the Israeli aggression. I am coming today from a homeland that is suffering the repercussions of this war on its land, including killing, displacement and destruction."

“The approach of destruction followed by Israel is unprecedented in history, and we experience it daily in Lebanon on the land of our precious south, which has been drenched with the blood of the martyrs and the wounded and has become a land scorched by the lava of crimality, as a repercussion  to the destructive plan in Gaza and a continuation of it,” Premier Mikati said.

“From this platform, we call on the countries of the world to intervene with all force to stop what is happening after 75 years of ignoring the rights of the Palestinians, in the hope that Security Council Resolution No. 2735 that was issued yesterday, which we welcome in the name of the Lebanese state, will be the first step, even if modest, towards stability, in order to reach the desired peace through the Palestinians gaining their right to their independent state. All else are mere projects that will not succeed, and cannot be imposed by the force of reality or the reality of force,” Mikati added.

“Lebanon is accustomed to feeling the Arab pain and carrying the issues of the Arabs because they are its people and family and it has paid a heavy price in terms of the lives of its people and its infrastructure. Today, Lebanon is ready to provide relief to the injured in Gaza, especially children, in its hospitals and to support them as an expression of its solidarity with them, in addition to helping to equip and rehabilitate medical cadres to compensate for Israel’s killing of hundreds of health sector workers.”

“We are also ready to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority to complete the necessary administrative arrangements to facilitate the crossing of the wounded for treatment and then return safely to their country quickly.”

Mikati continued: “You, beloved ones, can imagine the extent of the damage occurring in Lebanon as a result of the ongoing aggression since the eighth of last October. The damage is enormous in educational facilities, health, developmental and agricultural facilities, as well as in livestock and agricultural wealth.”

The PM concluded: “Our south and its people, are in a real and indescribable catastrophe, and the ongoing aggression is continuing to systematically kill, destroy and burn, turning southern Lebanon into a barren and scorched land. Therefore, I am presenting this matter to you so that you can be, as you have always been, standing by your second country, Lebanon, and I am confident that you will not fall short in that... of stretching a helping hand and assisting and repairing the damage, and helping and supporting people in reconstruction and steadfastness... because the symbolic Lebanon will remain an important country for you, no matter how severe the crises are.”
Mikati at 33rd Arab Summit renews Lebanon’s commitment to international resolutions

NNA -  Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday renewed “Lebanon's commitment to international legitimacy resolutions,” and called for "exerting pressure on Israel to withdraw from our occupied land, and stop its violations of land, sea and air, as well as fully implement Resolution 1701, within a comprehensive package with clear and declared international guarantees."

Premier Mikati’s words came in his delivered word at the 33rd Arab summit in Manama, Bahrain.

Mikati also hoped that the work of the Arab Liaison Committee on Syria be activated in a way that helps achieve an agreed-upon common Arab vision, and develop a financing mechanism to secure the necessary resources to facilitate and accelerate the return of displaced Syrians to their country."

The Premier also stressed that "the Lebanese are counting heavily on the effective role of the Arab brethrens, especially the members of the Five-Nation Committee, in order to help the Lebanese political forces achieve the presidential election entitlement."
Mikati from parliament: EU aid to Lebanon unconditional

NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati explained Wednesday to the parliament that the fresh aid package offered to Lebanon by the European Union is unconditioned, and that no agreement has been signed in that respect.

"I confirm that the aid is not conditioned by any prior or subsequent condition, and no agreement has been inked with the European Union regarding it," Mikati told a parliament session devoted to discussing the aid and the displaced Syrians' file.

Mikati stressed the necessity of full accord between the Lebanese to resolve the Syria displacement issue.

"The European aid announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in the presence of the Cypriot President is a confirmation of the periodic aid the European Commission has been providing to Lebanon for years," Mikati said.

"This European support is devoted to the basic services offered by the Commission to the governmental institutions in the fields of social protection, education, water and healthcare," he explained.

"The President of the European Commission has promised a re-evaluation of this aid every six months in light of Lebanon's need. She also promised doubled amounts and European investments in Lebanon once the required reform laws are approved," he added.

"We insisted that this aid be aimed at encouraging the Syrian displaced to return to their country and not to stay in Lebanon," he said.

"The government has never failed to make the suitable decision regarding the displaced file, and the army and security apparatuses are assuming their duties to curb the unjustified displacement which is threatening the independence of our entity," he underlined.

"What is needed today is a unified national position away from outbidding and accusations," he concluded.
Mikati condemns Israeli aggression in So...
Mikati at “Urgent Humanitarian Response ...
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PM Mikati: Any stance adopted by Lebanon aims at preserving its civil stability and peace
Tuesday, Nov 15, 2011

The Premier Najib Mikati met today with several diplomatic delegations in the Serail to clarify the Lebanese stance towards the recent developments, namely the last decision taken by the League of Arab States. In this context, Mikati received Ambassadors from the Gulf Cooperation Council: H.E the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia, Ali Ossairy, H.E the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman Mohamed ben Khalil al Jazmi, H.E the Ambassador of Kuwait, Abdel Aal al Qinai, H.E the Ambassador of Qatar Saad Ali al-Mouhannadi, as well as the chargé d’affaires of the Emirati Embassy Salem al-Jabiri.

During his diplomatic meetings, Mikati affimed that “any stance adopted by Lebanon aims at preserving its civil stability and peace”. He reiterated that “Lebanon will keep on interacting with its Arab surrounding and part of the Arab world”. “The recent Lebanese stance taken at the League of Arab States voting, was based on historic and geographic considerations taking into account the Lebanese specificity that our Arab brothers are aware of. This stance came to express the Lebanese reservation on the decision taken by the League to suspend the Syrian membership, rather than on the call for halting violence and claiming dialogue as a means for solution, as the Lebanese politics, as mentioned by the Lebanese President, stand against isolating and punishing people while hindering all means of dialogue.”

The Ambassador of Great Britain:

The Lebanese Premier received the Ambassador of Britain in Lebanon Tom Fletcher and discussed bilateral relations between both countries.

After the meeting, Fletcher said: “We discussed the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s last visit to London and his ambitious program of cooperation to enhance stability in Lebanon. We also tackled the situation in the region, namely the session held by the League of Arab States around the end of last week, as well as the sanctions imposed on Syria. Britain supports the efforts made by the League of Arab States, as we believe in the need to grant freedom, democracy and rights to the Syrian citizens. The Lebanese PM explained the reasons why Lebanon could not support these decisions, especially with the critical situation in the country. I have expressed Britain’s disappointment towards the Lebanese stance, believing it is for the interest of Lebanon to take a neutral position and separate itself from the situation in Syria. Hoping that the Lebanese leaders will take the wise decision allowing to be on the right side.”

The Ambassador of Estonia:

The Lebanese Prime Minister received the Ambassador of Estonia in Lebanon Yvo Orav.

The Association of Lebanese Industrialists:

PM Mikati also received a delegation from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists chaired by Neamat Efrem with the presence of the Minister of Economy and Trade Nicolas Nahhas and the Minister of Industry Warij Sabounjian.

After the meeting, Efrem stated: “We have been invited by the PM around the completion of the draft budget for 2012 and in light of the issue of wages that has been of a great concern for us for the past couple of months. We, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, have discussed with the Lebanese Prime Minister the importance of this issue and transmitted the message of industrialists who believe in the need to create job opportunities in Lebanon and preserve Lebanese industries. As you all know, many are the problems faced with the Syrian market, exports to Iraq and local market speculations, not to forget the soaring oil and gas oil prices, being a burden on the competitivity of the Lebanese industry. Hence, we urged the Prime Minister to put the energy subvention among the priorities of the Budget, and asked why the Lebanese industry is not granted the energy subvention granted to the Electricity of Lebanon.”

He added: “Why the Industrial sector in Lebanon or even the Lebanese consumer buys electricity from the neighborhood generator and has absolutely no subvention on oil and fuel? It is high time to sort this out as oil prices have increased by 25% between 2009 and 2010, and between 2010 and 2011, and we all know the difficulty encountered by the Lebanese industrialists and workers and others representing 60% of the population to keep up with life requirements, knowing that 60% of the population do not earn a monthly salary and are not employers.

When asked what was the Lebanese Premier’s respond to the raised issues, Efrem said that: “Mikati was responsive to our demands and asked us to understand the problem of high cost of living in the country, stressing on the need to ensure collaboration between employers and workers in order to keep up with these hard times. He also asked us to suggest new items to the draft budget allowing the Lebanese Government to provide additional returns, an issue that we will be discussing with other economic bodies and with the Association of Industrialists in order to offer him constructive ideas”.

Mufti Dallah:

The Lebanese Prime Minister received the Mufti of Hasbaya and Marjayoun, the Judge Sheikh Hassan Dallah who said after the meeting: “we discussed the needs and affairs of the Arqoub-Marjayoun area and tackled the right of the area to be provided with job opportunities in the public sector, and military and civil institutions similarly to other areas in the country. We also discussed the issue of pensions. PM Mikati expressed his willingness to study our request.

Mufti al-Jouzou:

PM Mikati received the Mufti of Mount Lebanon Mohamed Ali Jouzou who stated after the meeting: “I met with the Lebanese Prime Minister to explore issues raised in the last meeting held by the Higher Islamic Council and insisted on the importance of financing the Special Tribunal for the value ex-Premier had in this country and our right to reveal the identity of his assassins”. He added: “we reiterate that the Council of Ministers Presidency is an untouchable red line, as the Prime Minister is a key symbol of this Nation. In addition, it is not acceptable to defend some positions while neglecting others, as we are working on unifying the Lebanese people and the Islamic community. We are looking forward to having a unified Sunni stance, as Dar el Fatwa is aiming at serving all Muslims and all Lebanese without any sectarian or religious discrimination.

Former Deputies:

Mikati received former Akkar deputies namely Mikhael al-Daher, Wajih al Baarini, Karim al-Rassi. After the meeting al-Daher said: “we discussed with the Lebanese Premier issues that concern Akkar and asked him to appoint a Governor for the region and rent premises for the Governorate according to the 2003 law allowing the establishment of a Governorate, as well as the related application decrees issued in 2004. These decrees were supposed to enter into force within one year to allow all public directorates to establish offices in Akkar. Unfortunately, nothing has been done about it. This delay is considered to be against the law and the related decrees, especially that Akkar is in need of development. Based on this, the Prime Minister pledged to meet our request as soon as possible. In this context, we also expressed the need to appoint the Halba Governmental Hospital Board of Directors as it lacks human and financial resources. We also asked to operate the Qoleiat Airport and informed him that the Minister of Public Affairs will pay a visit to the Airport to launch its operation in order to achieve an economic revival”.

As for al Baarini, he added: many are the issues in Akkar that can only be addressed by public institutions, and if a Governor is appointed, several existing crisis will be resolved, namely at the level of service and living issues.

Pierre Gemayel Memory:

The Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati received Mrs. Patricia Pierre Gemayel and the General Secretary of the Kataeb Party Michel Khoury who handed him in an invitation to attend the annual requiem in memory of Pierre Gemayel’s assassination on Sunday 20 November at 4:00pm in St. Antonios Church in Jdeidet el Metn.

Rifi:

Mikati called the Director General of the Internal Security Forces Ashraf Rifi felicitating him for the achievement realized by the Information Section arresting a gang of thieves and murderers in the Nabaa area early this morning.

Declaration of Statement:

The Prime Minister issued an administrative declaration of statement 25/2011 announcing the closing of all directions, public institutions and municipalities at the occasion of the Independence day. “According to the decree 15215 issue on 27/9/2005 and the related amendments, regarding holidays and official occasions, all directorates, public institutions and municipalities shall close on Tuesday 22 November 2011 at the occasion of the Independence day.”
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