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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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.

3 Photos
Print


Mikati receives invitation to attend Arab summit, chairs ministerial committee meeting on social protection strategy implementation
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024

NNA – Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday accepted an invitation from Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Issa Al-Khalifa to attend the 33rd regular session of the Arab League Summit, scheduled for Thursday, May 16.

Prime Minister Mikati welcomed earlier today Bahrain's envoy and Ambassador to Syria, Wahid Mubarak Sayyar, who delivered a message from the Bahraini monarch. The message expressed warm regards and wishes for health and prosperity to Lebanon and its people. It also extended an invitation to Mikati to participate in the upcoming summit, highlighting the importance of his personal contribution to the summit's deliberations, especially given the challenging circumstances facing the Arab world.

Mikati then chaired a session of the ministerial committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the national strategy for social protection.

The committee discussed the mechanism for implementing the national strategy for social protection, focusing on the management of the Syrian refugee crisis and presenting developmental projects related to social and sustainable development.

For his part, Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar emphasized the need for each concerned ministry to be a focal point for implementing the strategy in its respective institutions. The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold a meeting to develop a working mechanism between ministries, technicians, and the supporting committee from UNICEF.

Regarding the coordination of responses to the Syrian and Lebanese situations, a detailed presentation was made on the assistance programs for both Lebanese and Syrians. In light of this presentation and the surrounding regional circumstances, an agreement was reached to prepare a joint paper and hold a meeting next week to unify the Lebanese state's position in facing all risks at the Lebanese level.

Prime Minister Mikati later met with Minister of Justice, Henry Khoury, to discuss ministrial matters.

Additionally, Mikati received the Secretary-General of the Democratic Gathering bloc, MP Hadi Abu al-Hasan, with discussions focusing on the latest political and security developments in the country, especially the situation in southern Lebanon, in light of the Israeli aggressions, including the recent heinous crime against the Islamic Medical Association in the town of Habarieh.

Separately, and in the presence of Caretaker Minister of Tourism, Walid Nassar, Miss World runner-up, Miss Lebanon Yasmine Zaytoun, and her family met with Prime Minister Mikati.

After the meeting, Zaytoun said, "I was honored to meet His Excellency the PM for the second time in two years, and I am very proud and grateful for the gesture of the Lebanese government. After my meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, today I visited the Prime Minister's office, which is currently the highest site in Lebanon. I heard very kind words from His Excellency Prime Minister Mikati, who entrusted me with responsibility. We discussed future projects and how this can help, especially since I was able to represent Lebanon excellently, and this is just the beginning."

more videos
كلمة الرئيس ميقاتي في إفتتاح مصنع تجميع وإنتاج الأجهزة الإلكترونية في الجامعة اللبنانية