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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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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Hariri and Mikati call on Tripolitans to vote for the unity of the city
Friday, Apr 12, 2019

NNA - The President of the Council of Ministers Saad Hariri visited Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati in Tripoli, with candidate Dima Jamali.

After the meeting, Mikati said: “The meeting with Prime Minister Hariri addressed the concerns of Tripoli, its importance and how it can play a key role in Lebanese politics, development and reconstruction. I confirmed that the step I took, the unity that we see today, is based on two things: supporting the premiership to preserve the balance in the country, and at the same time to have Tripoli in any future program because Tripoli is the basis for supporting the premiership.

In the next 48 hours, we will have a by-election in Tripoli. We ask our people to vote for this unity, which is the source of confidence and happiness for all citizens.”

Hariri said: “It is an honor for me to be among you today, and with you, especially since we have the by-election. All of us stand together in favor of Tripoli and Dima. We all have to vote for Dima Jamali, so that we can work for Tripoli.

There is no doubt that over the past years there have been political divisions between me and PM Mikati. This caused a delay in many things in the country, in addition to the divisions that were taking place in all of Lebanon. Today we decided to support the institutions, restore political work, and work together to advance the country. There are major challenges waiting for us. Lebanon needs the cooperation of all the parties so we can get out of the economic and financial crisis. We must also take basic reformative measures to encourage the world to return to Lebanon and invest.”

He added: “As for the development of Tripoli and the North, it is essential in CEDRE. We heard in the past days talks about the share of Tripoli and the North from the CEDRE Conference. Tripoli is part of Lebanon so when we put all the projects on the table and worked with the World Bank, we dedicated project to all of Lebanon. If we think that people will come and invest in our country without real reform and real austerity to prevent corruption, we are wrong, and no one will come to us to invest. On the issue of the economic zone, I do not want to speak with sectarian or doctrinal logic. In every world, in any country, there is one economic zone, and it is based on economic feasibility. If the economic zone existed today in Tyre, for example, Batroun or anywhere else, I, Saad Hariri or PM Mikati, would not allow ourselves to establish other economic zones because it is useless. The problem today is that, because there is an economic zone in Tripoli, some want to establish an economic zone in another area. In the end, instead of doing good for the country, we are spending money that is of no use to the region or Lebanon. It is true that this economic zone is in Tripoli, but it benefits all of Lebanon. There is no region in Lebanon that will not benefit from the economic zone in Tripoli. There are industrial zones that we approved in the Council of Ministers in the Bekaa, Akkar and other regions. We have to invest in these zones and increase their number, because they really benefit the Lebanese citizens and industrialists and create jobs. It is time, after the enactment of the PPP law, to implement it in all regions, for example, the Rashid Karami fair, one of the most beautiful areas where investment can take place. I would like to say that in order to have an investment in Tripoli, there should be political stability, and that is what is happening. Therefore, we have taken a decision, PM Mikati, the other leaders and I, to continue in this path together, because it is the only way to benefit Tripoli.”

Question: What do you say to all those who say that you only visit Tripoli before elections? And that you make development promises and don’t implement them?

Hariri: It took us nine months to form the government, and even if I visited Tripoli in this period, I could not have set up projects. This government is barely two months old.

If the government had been formed a month after the elections, believe me, you would have seen me a lot more in Tripoli, and there would have been more projects for the city. But we still have three years, and you will see Saad Hariri in Tripoli, Tyre, Baalbek, Hermel, the Western Bekaa, Minyeh, Denniyeh and Zghorta.

Question: What do you say to citizens who do not want to vote?

Hariri: I would like to say one thing. The Lebanese citizen must realize the value of his vote. Look at what happened in the Arab world and the Arab Spring. I say to every Lebanese citizen and Tripolitan, if

Saad Hariri cannot accomplish what he promised, do not vote for him. But vote, because that's what changes the country and political life. After the death of my father, there was a sharp division in the country, and we did not talk to each other. Today, we hear each other and work together. There are still serious political differences, on the regional issue for example, and Hezbollah and I cannot meet regionally on the same political principle. But this does not mean that the Lebanese citizen should pay the price, and we have agreed with the other parties to put these things aside, and to focus on the interest of the Lebanese citizen.

Question: Are you afraid that this alliance would be political without being translated in the ballots?

Hariri: I am not afraid of that, but I say frankly: There is no doubt that the relationship between me and PM Mikati has passed through difficult stages, as happened with Major General Ashraf Rifi, but this is normal in politics, and one has to have the courage to look at the interests of the country, the interest of the citizen, and the interest of politics. PM Mikati certainly has his political ambition, and this is his political right and this is democracy. We all change and we all learn from our mistakes, and it is important not to repeat our mistakes and work for the sake of the country.

Question: Will Dima Jamali be elected again?

Hariri: This is what we want, and we hope that the people of Tripoli will understand the importance of this battle and that all we want is the interest of Tripoli.

Mikati held a lunch in honor of Hariri in the presence of figures from Tripoli.

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