NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Monday met at the Grand Serail with Minister of State at the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, over the bilateral relations between the two countries and the situation in Lebanon and the region.
During the meeting, Premier Mikati stressed the strong Lebanese-Qatari relations at all levels, hailing "the Qatari contributions in helping Lebanon overcome over the difficulties it is going through politically and economically."
Mikati He renewed "appreciation for Qatar's support for the army in this difficult phase, enabling it to carry out its responsibilities."
The Prime Minister also presented the current situation in Lebanon and the efforts made by the government in addressing urgent files, in accordance with the constitution in the caretaker phase. Mikati reaffirmed that "the gateway to resolving the crises in Lebanon lies in electing a new president of the republic as soon as possible."
On the other hand, Mikati chaired at the Grand Serail, a meeting of the Ministerial Committee tasked to address the repercussions of the financial crisis on the activity of public facilities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saade Chami, Caretaker Ministers of Education and Higher Education Judge Abbas Al-Halabi, Justice Judge Henry Khoury, Finance Youssef Khalil, Administrative Development Najla Riachi, Social Affairs Hector Hajjar, Industry George Boujikian, Public Health Dr.Firas Abiad, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Labor Mustafa Bayram, and Public Works and Public Works and Transportation, Ali Hamieh.
The meeting was also attended by former Minister Nicolas Nahas, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makiya, Head of the Civil Service Council, Nisreen Machmouchi, and Director General of the Ministry of Finance, George Maarawi.
The meeting approved a number of proposals to be presented during the next session of the Council of Ministers.
The Premier had earlier met with Caretaker Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Abbas al-Hajj Hassan, who briefed him on the outcome of a recent meeting that brought together four Arab ministers of agriculture representing Iraqi, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
“It has been agreed to hold another meeting soon with Arab ministers of agriculture and transport to overcome all obstacles regarding the transit process between these four countries,” Hajj Hassan said in the wake of the meeting.
“We are witnessing a positive storm of inter-Arab and Arab relations with all the countries of the region, which we hope will reflect positively on Lebanon,” he added.
Regarding the increasing fear over Lebanon’s food security, Hajj Hassan said: “We do fear that food security will be shaken, but this does not mean that it is shaky today; however, things could change any minute if the situation keeps faltering. Food security is threatened in the entire region and across the world. We are working on transforming our economy from a rentier to a productive one, and we are laying the basic foundations by activating internal work and improving our relations with neighboring countries.”
Mikati also welcomed at the Grand Serail the the Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon, Magoshi Masayuki.
The pair reportedly discussed the general situation and the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Mikati also received at the Grand Serail Head of the Audit Bureau, Judge Mohammed Badran.
================= R.H., L.Y
