ANI – Le Premier ministre, Najib Mikati, a rencontré mardi les ambassadeurs et représentants des missions de l’Union européenne au Liban.

M.Mikati a discuté avec les diplomates européens de la conjoncture libanaise et du plan du gouvernement pour freiner l’effondrement, en plus de la coopération entre le Liban et l’UE.

L’ambassadeur de l’UE, Ralf Tarraf, a indiqué que le Premier ministre a exposé à ses visiteurs les priorités du gouvernement, notant que l’UE est prête à soutenir le chef du gouvernement et le plan de travail, jugeant que projets abordés méritent d’être soutenus.

Plus tard, M. Mikati s’est entretenu avec l’ambassadrice d’Italie, Nicoletta Bobardière et puis avec l’ambassadeur iranien, Mohammad Jalal Feiruznia.

NNA - Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed after his meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Bishr Al-Khasawneh that "bilateral relations were discussed, especially with regard to the issue of energy and the import of electricity from Jordan and gas from Egypt."

He pointed out that "discussions touched upon the work of the joint committee established between Lebanon and Jordan," and said: "We want the agreements to be useful, not fictitious."

For his part, the Jordanian prime minister affirmed "interest in supporting Lebanon and preserving its stability. We will not delay in securing its needs. The place that Lebanon has in the hearts of the Jordanians and His Majesty the King is great."

"We have discussed the issue of importing gas and electricity to deal with some of the ramifications of the energy crisis in Lebanon," he went on to say, thus declaring solidarity with Lebanon.

"The United Nations stresses its concern for brotherly Lebanon, and the Lebanese needs and requirements for stability are always at the forefront of all the King's meetings," Khasawneh assured, stressing that "Jordan has no differences with anyone, and we have always been and are still governed by relations with our brothers. (…) We are committed to coordinating with all parties and countries capable of securing the needs of the Lebanese within the framework of the existing international consensus."

NNA - Prime Minister Najib Mikati stressed on Tuesday that there is a genuine determination to hold the parliamentary elections and that there is no intention to postpone them.

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with House Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain-el-Tineh, Mikati said that he would not accept that Lebanon's relations with Syria put the country at risk.

"I cannot subject Lebanon to any sanctions. If ties with Syria are endangering Lebanon, then I shall not accept that," he underlined.

"The Caesar Act is not a blockade on Lebanon, it rather [targets] those who deal with Syria. Hezbollah is another issue and I believe that my position is clear," he added.

Commenting on the suspension of the Beirut port blast probe led by judge Tarek Bitar, Mikati said the judge should not be replaced once again.

NNA - In a joint press conference at the Elysee Palace with French President, Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, affirmed on Friday his government’s determination to swiftly implement all the necessary reforms.

“France has been and still is Lebanon’s permanent and steadfast ally. I’ve had the great honor and pleasure of meeting with President Macron to discuss an array of issues of great importance to both of our countries,” Mikati said in a word he gave during the press conference.

“Recently, Lebanon has been experiencing a series of crises that have bogged it down in an unprecedented state of distress. However, all throughout this ordeal, Mr. President [Macron], you have always been by our side,” Mikati added, deeming this support of particular importance “because France represents the heart of the international community made up of our Arab brothers and our friends across the world.”

Mikati went on to explain that his meeting with Macron had been an opportunity to express his determination to swiftly implement all the necessary reforms, in cooperation with the Lebanese government and with the support of Lebanese President, Michel Aoun, as well as that of the House of Parliament, “to restore confidence, spread a new breath of hope, and alleviate the sufferings of the Lebanese people.”

“These measures will be decisive in reviving the nation’s economy, in pursuing promising negotiations with the International Monetary Fund, and in kick starting an end to the crisis. I am confident that we can count on France's support in these negotiations,” Mikati added.

Most importantly, Mikati said that he had also assured President Macron of the government's determination to hold parliamentary elections next spring, hoping that this will pave the way for a new political life that the Lebanese people long for.