PM Mikati hopes cabinet makes it to Wednesday session gap-less
Friday, May 11, 2012
Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, fueled hopes on Friday for enhanced cabinet performance, confirming that current discussions were set on legalizing extra-budgetary spending rather than merely discussing the availability of funds.
Mikati delivered his most recent stance in a dialogue he had held with the participants of the "Economic and Business Forum", which winded up its sessions at Phoenicia Hotel this afternoon.
"I hope we will manage to surpass existing obstacles hindering the cabinet's work pending the Council of Minister's session next Wednesday," Mikati said, confirming that a solution to the spending issue would eventually be found.
"Neither the cabinet Ministers, nor do I accept to be the cause of the problem, and the best solution lies in a robust cabinet capable of serving the country," the Minister said.
Countering the people's denting hopes with regard to a mounting electricity crisis in Lebanon, the Prime Minister confirmed that the matter was being seriously discussed at administrative and technical levels.
"Preparations are underway for a tender that complies with all the conditions which have been approved by the World Bank, which had expressed a will to finance the project," he said in reference to an overhaul plan for the electricity sector.
As for the Lebanese Banking sector, Mikati praised its vibrant condition, saying it is attracting even more assets and liquidity.
"The Lebanese Central Bank currently owns the highest foreign currency reserves," Mikati said.
But the Prime Minister argued that the current cabinet was paying a dear price for three main issues; legalizing expenditures, the security and administrative situations.
"I handled this responsibility to find a solution, and not to become an additional problem," Mikati said, pressing for scientific solutions to the aforementioned problems.
"If we fail to find suitable solutions, then we are at the risk of facing additional problems in the country."

