Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed in an interview with CNN today that "the government's primary mission is to stop the collapse and put the country on the path to recovery in preparation for addressing economic, financial, and daily life issues." In response to a question, he stated, "Between the formation of the government and today, I felt a relative comfort as we have communicated with the International Monetary Fund over the past seven days, which has shown readiness to support Lebanon. We presented the electricity issue and proposed appropriate solutions. Yesterday, I met with the Director-General of the World Health Organization, who expressed the organization’s readiness to support the health sector in Lebanon and to encourage donor countries to provide assistance."
Regarding the government's capability to accomplish what is required, he said, "It's a matter of time, and unfortunately, Lebanon faces many urgent challenges including the financial and economic crisis, the repercussions of the Beirut port explosion, and the COVID-19 pandemic." He added, "Lebanon's current situation resembles a patient in very poor condition waiting to enter the hospital's emergency department, then moved to the operating room for surgery if necessary, followed by intensive care, and then undergoes a period of recovery before final recuperation. I regret to say that our country is still in the waiting phase before the emergency room."
He continued, "The government cannot achieve a state of healing and recovery in eight months, which is the constitutional term of our government, considering that the government resigns after parliamentary elections that we insist on conducting on time." He noted, "The pressing files before our government are improving energy and electricity conditions, addressing the fuel crisis, securing medicine, and handling the healthcare and educational sectors."
In response to a question, he said: "There are no coups in Lebanon, but change begins with a transitional phase through parliamentary elections that allow the people to choose their representatives in power." Regarding the support file, he commented, "We no longer have funds to continue support, and this matter must stop because 26 percent of the total support funds last year reached the Lebanese people, while the rest went into the pockets of traders, monopolists, and smugglers. Moving forward, we will limit our support primarily to medicines for serious illnesses. Therefore, we call on the international community to expedite assistance to stop the bleeding before it’s too late."
Regarding Hezbollah's participation in the government, Mikati stated: "I am a practical person, and the government encompasses most Lebanese factions; we cannot carry out any reforms or negotiate with the IMF without everyone's approval and support. Hezbollah represents a segment of the Lebanese in the Parliament." Commenting on Hezbollah's import of Iranian oil yesterday and fears of sanctions on Lebanon, he said: "I feel sad about the violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, but I am not afraid of sanctions on it, as the process was conducted in isolation from the Lebanese government."
In response to a question, he said, "I would like to thank the Iraqi government for supporting Lebanon with petroleum products, and I thank our Arab brothers for their continued support for Lebanon. I assure them that Lebanon will not, and has not been, a venue for any harm to Arab countries. Therefore, I call on all Lebanese factions to adopt a policy of distancing themselves. Lebanon has not abandoned its Arab brothers and calls on them not to abandon it."
On the French role in Lebanon, he said: "France is a friend of Lebanon and has helped us a lot in forming the government without intervening in the details, but it respects Lebanon's sovereignty." Regarding the American position on the government, he mentioned, "I have received several messages of support from the American administration." Concerning the investigation into the Beirut port explosion, he said: "We will not allow any obstacle to impede the investigation to understand the crime's circumstances and hold those responsible accountable, while taking into account constitutional and legal principles."
