President Najib Mikati has been following up on all preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections next Sunday, in coordination with the Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi. This is alongside the arrangements for the topics of the next Cabinet session to be held at the presidential palace.
Mikati was reported to have emphasized to his visitors the importance of the parliamentary elections, as they will precisely determine the general directions of the Lebanese people following a phase of changes that followed the October 17 revolution. He stated, "It has become necessary for the Lebanese to define their orientations at the ballot box in preparation for the transition to a new phase, which will certainly be filled with challenges and hard work to complete the required rescue steps and approve the necessary reforms to lead the country toward gradual recovery."
According to his visitors, Mikati believes that the phase following the elections involves major challenges, particularly regarding addressing the fundamental and urgent challenges, most notably the agreement with the International Monetary Fund and completing the road map to exit the crisis based on the recovery plan. This places all parties in a position of responsibility to transition from a phase of conflict experienced before the elections to one of partnership and cooperation in shouldering responsibility and addressing the crisis.
Mikati has expressed his conviction that most parties now sense the real looming danger and the difficult reality faced by the Lebanese, necessitating cooperation from everyone, as there is no alternative for these parties but to assume their responsibility. He refuses to engage in any discussions regarding the new government, considering that "the priority now is to hold the elections, and after that, we'll see."
