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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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 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.

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PM Mikati meets Pope
Monday, Nov 28, 2011

His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI received on Monday the Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Vatican and affirmed that he is planning to visit Lebanon next fall, this country that he believes in as a “the Nation of the Message among the world nations”. He expressed his love and sympathy to Lebanon and its people indicating that he will always pray for it to find peace and well-being.

Prime Minister Mikati said that “Lebanon can only fly with his both wings, the Christian and the Muslim communities. We should all have a strong will to preserve the principles Lebanon was established on, such as tolerance and freedom of belief.

Arrival and Meeting

President Mikati arrived at the Vatican at 11 am, accompanied with the Ambassador of Lebanon to the Vatican George Khoury and the Lebanese delegation.


After the official reception ceremony, Mikati was received by His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI in his office where a meeting of 35 minutes was held.

“Lebanon is going through very hard and critical times and is in urgent need of prayers for God to keep our country away from evil and woes. Moreover, the region is witnessing harsh conditions, and I am doing my best to protect Lebanon from potential repercussions,” Mikati said during his meeting with the Pope.

He added “Eastern Christians have always been the pioneers in the promotion of freedoms, freedom of belief and human rights, and Lebanon has always been their haven. There is no doubt that the comfort and security felt by Christians in Lebanon is reflected on the Christians of the region. I am certain that the Holy See can play a major role in this regard”.

Mikati reiterated that “the emigration of Christians from Lebanon is not related to religious factors, rather to harsh economic conditions all Lebanese are facing”, and added “Islam is a religion that praises tolerance, openness and acceptance of other religions”.

Photos and Presents

After the meeting, His Holiness the Pope received Mr. Mikati’s wife Mrs. May Mikati along with the Lebanese delegation members where photos were taken and souvenir presents were offered and exchanged between the Pope and Mikati.


Other Meetings

Another meeting was held between PM Mikati and the Vatican Secretary, Cardinal Taricion Bertone and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Vatican Dominique Mamberte.


During the meeting, Bertone and Mamberte transmitted the Holy See concerns towards the situation in the Middle East, not only regarding the Christian community, rather to all communities. They said “rationality should govern” and stressed on “the role played by Lebanon for Christians in the Middle East, and the model of coexistence  it has always represented worldwide”. They also indicated that “the Holy See gives great attention to Lebanon” and that “the credibility of any government lies in the respect of commitments towards the international community”.  

PM Mikati Statement

At the end of the visit to the Vatican, PM Mikati made the following statement:


“I was honored today to meet His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican. I transmitted to him the love, respect and gratitude showed by the Lebanese people to his Holiness for the attention he accords to their Nation through his close follow-up for Lebanon to preserve its role as a Message, as described by the Blessed Pope John Paul II. I also reiterated on the invitation previously sent by the President of the Lebanese Republic Michel Sleiman to visit Lebanon, as the Lebanese people is impatiently waiting for him to announce the Apostolic Exhortation to all Eastern Christians from their homeland, stressing on the importance of the role played by the Lebanese and their interaction with the Arab surroundings for Lebanon to remain a pioneer and preserve its uniqueness”.

Mikati also had the chance to discuss developments in the surrounding region with his Holiness and stressed on the need to promote relations between Islam and Christianity, albeit the troubles witnessed in Iraq and Egypt at this level. These relations shall remain a model all efforts should target to preserve as a sign of interaction between cultures and civilizations and to fight marginalization, exclusion and individualistic trends. “Islam is a religion that praises tolerance, openness and acceptance of other religions”.

Islam: Religion of Tolerance and Openness

I assured His Holiness the Pope and other officials I met from the Holy See, namely the Vatican Secretary Cardinal Taricion Bertone, and the Foreign Minister of the Vatican Dominique Mamberte that Lebanon will remain a crossroad between various civilizations and cultures, and that coexistence between the Muslim and Christian Communities is a major asset valued by all Lebanese  who struggle to preserve it and promote it as it has proven, despite what Lebanon has witnessed in its past and still do, its ability to bolster harmony and entente, hence saving Lebanon from crisis. This value is now a model to follow in order to address the problem of the Christian presence amidst the Arab region turbulent situation.


Holy See officials made encouraging statements on the importance of preserving the national entente among all Lebanese communities and the need to provide all elements needed for its success. It is only through entente that Lebanon can be saved and protected as a unified country where love, harmony and cooperation prevails and governs relations between all communities.  This in turn improves the culture of dialogue and tolerance between Muslims and Christians who believe in one God and reject all forms of hatred, intolerance, coercion and fanaticism. Faith gathers all Lebanese, Muslims and Christians.

These calls lie at the core of the Lebanese specificity through its common living being the pillar of Lebanon’s presence and continuity. The Lebanese people who believe in one God will always be loyal to one Nation and will work for one State in a region it is an integral part of and where it is a pioneer.

I had the chance to discuss with his Holiness the Pope and other officials at the Vatican the Lebanese Government directions in regards to the current challenges. I was pleased to know that the Pope is satisfied with the efforts we are making to preserve security and stability in Lebanon and encourages us to always opt for the national options that would gather all Lebanese and to promote relations with the international community trying to keep Lebanon away from the region’s turmoil repercussions.

We also dealt with the developments of the Middle East region, namely Palestine. I praise the efforts made by the Vatican to achieve just and global peace. I can confirm that the Vatican is closely following the region current events and mutations; it is working hard to preserve freedom, dignity and autonomy for each Arab citizen.

The Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs

Premier Mikati had met earlier today with the Italian Foreign Minister Giulio Terzi Sant'Agata with whom he discussed Lebanese-Italian relations.


During the meeting, the Italian Minister reiterated on the Italian position and support to Lebanon praising the Prime Minister’s position as to the UN resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s respect to international commitments.

PM Mikati also received a delegation from the “Sant’Edigio Community” concerned with the dialogue between civilizations and religions, who briefed him on the association activities, namely the cooperation with several authorities in Lebanon.

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