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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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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Mikati: Is the government required to halt the work in institutions and disrupt people’s interests completely?
Friday, May 26, 2023

NNA – Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, chaired a cabinet session at the Grand Serail, in the presence of Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister, Saade Chami, and Caretaker Ministers of Education and Higher Education Judge Abbas Al-Halabi, Information Ziad Makary, Youth and Sports George Kallas, Displaced Essam Sharaf Al-Din, Finance Dr. Youssef Khalil, Administrative Development Affairs Najla Riachi, Industry George Bouchikian, Tele-Communications Johnny Corm, Tourism Walid Nassar, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Culture Judge Mohammad Wissam Mortada, Environment Nasser Yassin, Labor Mustafa Bayram, Agriculture Dr. Abbas Hajj Hassan, and Public Works and Transportation Ali Hamieh.

The Cabinet session also took place in the presence of The Director-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Dr. Antoine Choucair, and the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makiya.

Speaking at the beginning of the Cabinet, Mikati congratulated the Lebanese on the occasion of Resistance and Liberation Day, saying: "This victory would not have been possible without the unity of all the Lebanese, and it is our duty today to work to preserve and strengthen this unity."

Mikati added: "The convening of our session today coincides with a campaign waged against the government by a political team in the country that is boycotting the sessions without offering a logical explanation for its position. More than six months have passed since the vacancy in the presidency of the republic, and the presidential elections are still unknown, in light of the conditions and counter conditions for the political parties represented in the House of Parliament.

In view of this situation, is the government required to halt the work in institutions and disrupt people's interests completely? Is the government responsible for the presidential vacancy, or are the deputies responsible for that? And who said that the ministers participating in government sessions do not represent all Lebanese segments? Is it acceptable for the political dispute to reach the point of insulting people's dignity and their balanced presence in all forums?”

Mikati went on to say: “Convening the Council of Ministers and conducting government work to keep the institutions’ cycle in place is neither a provocation nor a blow to the charter, partnership and the constitution, as some claim. Rather, striking the constitution and partnership is represented in adopting a deliberate and multi-form obstruction approach that has been going on for years and wasting time for personal goals.”

The PM added: "The real strike of the partnership is represented in refraining from carrying out the national and constitutional duty to elect a new president for the republic, especially by the team that weeps over the vacancy of the presidency's post and participates in obstructing the election process; and this same team is the one that incites spiritual and political references against the government. The irony is that the team that calls for the Council of Ministers not to convene is the same one that demands the inclusion of items on the sessions’ agenda.”

Premier Mikati also said: "I am in the process of calling for a session of the Council of Ministers devoted to the file of the displaced Syrians, in which all points will be raised in preparation for the speech I will deliver at the European Union conference in Brussels on the 15th of next month. I task Caretaker Minister Issam Charafeddine to prepare for the ministerial session and the meeting of the ministerial committee on the file of the displaced, which will be held ahead of the special government session."

On the Banque du Liban’s governorship dossier, Mikati said: “We discussed this issue at length in the consultative meeting that we held on Monday, and we agreed that this issue is in the hands of the judiciary and in accordance with the provisions of the Lebanese law. I stressed that it is not permissible to appear as if one party wants revenge and another wants to secure protection. The easiest thing to say today is to dismiss the governor, but out of respect for the institutions and the opinions of the attending ministers, and after the Deputy Prime Minister submitted a written memorandum on this file, I will raise the issue for discussion now again to take the appropriate decision.”

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