NNA - Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently chairing a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.
Participating in today’s caretaker Cabinet session are the Ministers of Education and Higher Education Judge Abbas Halabi, Information Ziad Makary, Youth and Sports George Kallas, Finance Youssef Khalil, Industry Georges Bouchikian, Administrative Development Najla Riachi, Tele-Communications Johnny Al-Corm, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Tourism Walid Nassar, Public Health Firas Abiad, Culture Judge Muhammad Wissam Al-Murtada, Environment Nasser Yassin, Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan, Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, and Economy and Trade Amin Salam.
Also in attendance are the Director-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Dr. Antoine Choucair, and the cabinet’s Secretary-General, Judge Mahmoud Makieh.
In his word at the beginning of the Cabinet session, Premier Mikati said: “We highly appreciate the efforts made by the friends of Lebanon, including presidents and international authorities, to find solutions to the Lebanese situation. We, as a government, are still working with faith, willfulness, and hard work, far from the luxury of power and political bidding, to push towards accelerating the election of the President of the Republic.” Mikati added, “We affirm that carrying out our national and constitutional duties in these exceptional and difficult circumstances, where citizens are in dire need of securing necessary services, especially health and security ones, is a national and moral responsibility that we will not fail to fulfill.”
The PM continued: "We highly value every movement and effort to bring viewpoints closer and establish trust relations and dialogue initiatives between political forces, and we wish success for every good endeavor."
While thanking the “ambassadors of the quintet for their efforts and love for Lebanon,” he said: “But we must all live up to the level of devotion for this country.”
On the displaced Syrians’ dossier, Mikati said: “With regard to the file of the displaced Syrians, there is momentum to address this issue in a way that confirms our respect for human rights, and our goal is definitely not to expose anyone to danger, but rather to protect our homeland and apply applicable laws to all residents of all Lebanese territories. Everyone who meets the conditions for residency on Lebanese territory will be provided with facilities with all diligence, There is cooperation with international institutions in this regard and cooperation with Syria in accordance with what is required by applicable laws.”
He warned of "the danger of continuing to issue descriptions and warnings hindering the voluntary return of the displaced and the repatriation of the convicts and illegal refugees to Syria, under the pretext of the absence of safe areas," and said: “We ask the international community about the dangers of Lebanon turning into safe areas for the displaced and unsafe for the Lebanese? This is what all the Lebanese refuse from a national standpoint in order to preserve the entity independence of the nation.”
The Premier went on to say: "I visited Paris and met with French President Emmanuel Macron. We discussed the situation in the south, the displaced Syrians’ dossier, the presidential elections, and assistance to the army. The atmosphere of the meeting was positive, and there was understanding for what we proposed. A conference to support the army will be held soon at the invitation of Italy and France."
He continued: “On the issue of the South, there was a French paper presented for discussion, and Lebanon had a response to it, and the bottom line of the response is that we do not want any issue raised outside the framework of the implementation of Resolution 1701 and Lebanon’s readiness to implement it. Work is currently underway to reconsider the French paper and it will be delivered to Lebanon soon in order to look into it. God willing, things will take a positive direction to establish safety and security, and this is what we want.”
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