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 He noted that TotalEnergies had withdrawn from acquiring existing licenses and emphasized the necessity of a legal framework for a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement.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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Mikati refuses to revive resigned Cabinet, backs return of Salam
Tuesday, Nov 12, 2013

The Daily Star - Hasan Lakkis

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati reiterated his refusal to re-activate his resigned Cabinet, while voicing support for re-appointing Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam should the latter choose to step down.

Mikati’s comments were made during a meeting at the Grand Serail with several media professionals, including from The Daily Star. He said he saluted his ally Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt for his stance regarding the re-nomination of Salam, in the event the latter gives up on trying to form a government.

Mikati said he had expected the naming of the prime minister-designate to run smoothly and the formation of a Cabinet to be more time consuming.

“It is in the interest of every loyal Lebanese citizen that the Cabinet be formed as soon as possible,” he said.

The caretaker premier said at the time he thought resigning the Cabinet “would ease the situation in the country.” He warned that the Cabinet formation should not be linked to developments outside Lebanon.

“If extending the mandate of the president is bad then a vacuum at the level of the presidency is worse,” he said, adding that if he was forced to choose between a presidential vacancy and the extension of President Michel Sleiman’s mandate, then he would pick the latter.

He was reluctant to discuss possible presidential candidates, but voiced appreciation for all those who have expressed interest, including Army commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi.

Mikati emphasized that efforts were underway to hold a presidential election on time, stressing that “this is not impossible.”

“I have discussed this issue with Speaker Nabih Berri, with whom I enjoy good relations, and I visit him regularly,” he said.

Commenting on the situation in Tripoli, Mikati said: “Gradual steps have been taken to resolve the situation in Tripoli,” adding that “I have discussed the issue with caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel.”

“There are certain parties that distribute money and arms in Tripoli, but if I identify them then I would be accusing them officially, and I have to act accordingly,” he said. “But until now I am not sure who these parties are.”

Nevertheless, Mikati emphasized that there would be no leniency for those found responsible for carrying out the deadly car bombings that killed 47 people and wounded hundreds.

“This issue has been followed up by both the judiciary and the security forces, and it has been closely monitored by the Cabinet as well. If [authorities] were being lenient, the suspects wouldn’t have been arrested in Jabal Mohsen,” Mikati said.

“We want [Arab Democratic Party leader] Ali Eid to appear before the judge and provide his statement, and there is a certain way to implement this judicial order,” Mikati added.

On the controversial issue of approving oil extraction decrees, Mikati said: “I’m not against resolving the issue,” by holding a Cabinet session to adopt the decrees and grant international companies the right to explore and extract resources from Lebanese waters.

But, he clarified: “What I want is to resolve the issue properly by relieving it from political bickering so it can be addressed in a practical way.”

Mikati defended the request he made to Parliament to hold a session to define the tasks and powers of the caretaker Cabinet.

He justified the request by pointing to similar demands made by Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah, the Free Patriotic Movement and Minister of State Ali Qanso to hold Cabinet sessions and resolve the oil issue.

Mikati said the idea to delineate and clarify the powers of the caretaker Cabinet arose because the parties were blaming “me in person” for not responding to the request.

He stressed “my relationship with all parties is good and I have no enmity with anyone, I keep contact with all.” He extended his apologies to parties that believed he had done them harm.

Touching on his relations with Saudi Arabia, Mikati said: “Regardless of any stance, if the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia shuts its door in our faces, we will come back through a window. We can’t but have the best relations with the KSA and we can’t take a negative stance toward it.”

“Relations between countries should not be made personal. It should be set according to strategic principles regardless of the people who are representing the state,” Mikati said.

He said that his latest meetings with Crown Prince Salman bin Abdel-Aziz, Foreign Affairs Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and Prince Bandar bin Sultan were promising.

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