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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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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À Tripoli, le grand malaise des sunnites
Monday, Nov 13, 2017

Le Figaro - Sunniva Rose

À TRIPOLI, deuxième ville du Liban, le souk historique est étrangement calme. « Depuis la démission du premier ministre Saad Hariri, mes clients se font rares », observe Omar Namel, dans sa bijouterie aux murs centenaires héritée de son grandpère. Dans une déclaration inattendue qui a surpris jusqu’aux membres de son propre camp, le premier ministre a démissionné de son poste le 4 novembre, à partir de l’Arabie saoudite, en dénonçant la « mainmise » du Hezbollah chiite et pro-iranien sur son pays. Saad Hariri, qui représente la communauté musulmane sunnite dans un pays multiconfessionnel, n’est toujours pas rentré au Liban, laissant planer le doute sur sa liberté de mouvement. Selon le pacte national de 1943, le premier ministre est toujours sunnite, le président du Parlement, chiite, et le chef de l’État, chrétien maronite.

La décision du premier ministre laisse perplexe la ville de Tripoli, à 80 % sunnite. « Voir démissionner Saad Hariri à la télévision était choquant. La communauté sunnite se sent exposée et en danger », confie le maire de Tripoli, Ahmad Kamareddine. Tandis que le Hezbollah s’est mué en véritable armée régionale depuis son engagement aux côtés du régime syrien, les sunnites ne disposent pas de milice armée au Liban. Le malaise envers les déclarations récentes de l’Arabie saoudite, allié traditionnel des sunnites libanais, se ressent dans les silences et le flou des réponses. Lundi, le royaume wahhabite a estimé que le Liban lui avait déclaré la guerre en raison de ce qu’il considère comme des agressions commises en Arabie saoudite par le Hezbollah. « Certains sunnites sont prêts à prendre les armes, mais je ne pense pas que l’Arabie saoudite va leur en fournir », concède Ahmad Kamareddine. De nouveaux troubles mettraient en péril les ambitions de Tripoli qui cherche à se positionner comme l’une des principales portes d’entrées pour la reconstruction de la Syrie post-guerre.

Ingérence du Hezbollah

Pour le mufti de Tripoli, Malek el-Chaar, la démission de Saad Hariri était nécessaire vu les pressions que lui faisait subir le Hezbollah. « Le Hezbollah est un cancer pour le Liban, mais il faut traiter les problèmes du pays sans tuer le malade. Les grandes puissances doivent user de moyens diplomatiques et économiques pour trouver une solution pacifique. » Dans le centre-ville, l’ambiance est plutôt au ras-le-bol des politiques. « J’ai honte pour le Liban. Nous méritons mieux que ça », déplore Omar Namel. Dans cette ville considérée comme la plus pauvre du Liban, où environ un tiers des hommes en âge de travailler sont au chômage, la loyauté politique se négocie le plus souvent en nature, soit en pots-de-vin, soit en services.

D’autres hommes politiques sunnites profitent du vide laissé par le départ de Saad Hariri pour s’imposer dans la ville, comme Achraf Rifi. Ancien ministre de la Justice, il a démissionné en février 2016, dénonçant l’ingérence du Hezbollah dans les affaires intérieures libanaises, avant d’imposer sa liste aux élections municipales quelques mois plus tard. Dans le souk du cuivre, de nouvelles affiches à l’image d’Achraf Rifi, candidat aux législatives de 2018, entouré du prince héritier saoudien, Mohammed Ben Salman, sont en train d’être montées, signées par l’un des commerçants du quartier, Abu Yassine Charaf elDine. « Je vendrais ma maison pour Achraf Rifi s’il le faut. C’est le seul qui est vraiment contre le Hezbollah, et avec l’Arabie saoudite », déclare celui qui affirme avoir payé 10 000 dollars pour ces affiches.

Une attitude qui désole Moustapha Allouche, ancien député de Tripoli et membre du bureau politique du Courant du futur, le parti de Saad Hariri. « Nous n’avons pas besoin de dirigeants charismatiques comme Assad ou Mohammed Ben Salman. Il nous faut des hommes d’État. C’est ce qu’a essayé de faire Saad Hariri, mais on n’a pas arrêté de l’en empêcher, de dire qu’il ne protégeait pas assez l’intérêt des sunnites. »

Sans premier ministre, le Liban pourra-t-il organiser les premières élections législatives en neuf ans, annoncées en juin dernier pour le printemps 2018 ? Pour Najib Mikati, qui assure qu’il ne briguera pas la succession de Saad Hariri, leur tenue est essentielle pour assurer une forme de stabilité au pays. « Je suis contre le vide. Un gouvernement intérimaire, dont les membres ne se présenteront pas aux élections, devrait expédier les affaires courantes jusqu’aux élections. C’est seulement après les résultats que nous pourrons avoir une vision claire de qui sera le prochain premier ministre. »

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