The designated president Najib Mikati affirmed that "the opportunities are still available to save what can be saved, and it is important for us to set aside our differences, as we no longer have the luxury of time to drown in conditions and demands." He added: "We must realize that we are facing either total collapse or gradual rescue. Over the past months, we have entered the path of rescue through the agreement with the International Monetary Fund, and this agreement is amendable. We must cooperate with the parliament to approve the necessary draft laws before continuing negotiations with the IMF."
Mikati, in a speech from Baabda Palace immediately after being mandated to form a government, thanked those whom he named and those he did not "for playing their role democratically. This mandate carries a doubled trust on me, and we must all work together to save our country from its current predicament," as he stated, calling on all political forces for a historic moment of responsibility to continue the rescue effort and put Lebanon on the brink of the anticipated solutions. He urged everyone to join in this constructive endeavor, emphasizing that there is no salvation for our country except through our cooperation, that much work lies ahead, and there is no time to waste, asserting that Lebanon will not die.
