The newspaper "Al-Sharq Al-Awsat" reported that Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati's request for a vote of confidence in his government dominated the proceedings of the parliamentary session held yesterday (Tuesday) at the UNESCO Palace. The request was opposed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, as he had not received a formal request for such a vote, marking the first request of its kind in years. Miqati sought to respond to what he termed “useless attacks” and to “present what we have with full transparency,” reflecting his anger at “populist statements” targeting his government, particularly as elections approach.
Berri chaired a legislative session yesterday to discuss multiple bills, out of which 13 were approved. At the beginning of the session, Miqati requested that it convert into a general discussion and a vote of confidence in the government, which Speaker Berri rejected, stating, "This is a legislative session dedicated to projects and proposed laws." Miqati responded, “There is a request on this subject from one of the deputies.” Berri replied, “I have not received this request.”
In statements to the press after leaving parliament, Miqati noted, “In light of the external indicators we receive and the external visits I undertake, we sense substantial support for Lebanon and efforts to assist it, while internally we see confusion and some seeking to exploit everything for electoral campaigns.” He clarified that “these campaigns come sometimes from a team opposing the presidency and sometimes from a team opposing the government and attacking it,” asserting that “the biggest loser from these campaigns is the country.”
Miqati expressed, “Instead of cooperating, as a government and Parliamentary council, to overcome the crisis we are in, we see an unproductive attack,” emphasizing that he heard discussions regarding the government and the vote of confidence and thought, “Why not, as our papers are open and we are ready to show what we have with full transparency, and clarify the problems we suffer from? If the parliamentary council is ready to cooperate with us, this is essential because the country requires a convergence of all efforts.”
He highlighted that “the problems we face cannot be resolved in the populist manner we are witnessing, and the nation is paying the price today.” He added, “The situation is not sound, but if we do not unite to find solutions, we cannot exit the crisis we are experiencing.”
Miqati rejected the idea of resigning from the government to avoid hampering the election process. He stated, “It is the government’s duties today to conduct the parliamentary elections, and I cannot be driven to resign, as that would provide justification for delaying the elections. I will not be a cause for hindering the elections, and for this reason, I will not resign.”
Turning to the "Capital Control" issue, Miqati said, “This matter has been proposed to the parliamentary council for two months as a bill, and the council requested comments from the International Monetary Fund, which we added to the proposal presented to the council. They requested again that we refer it as a bill from the government, and this will happen.” He stated, “We are ready for accountability for any action we undertake and I repeat the call for full cooperation with the parliamentary council,” urging an end to prioritizing personal interests over national interests "because the nation pays the price."
During the parliamentary session, the council approved 13 projects and proposed laws, highlighted by the decree regarding the student dollar for students studying abroad for the 2020-2021 academic year. It also approved financing for the parliamentary elections abroad via an extraordinary budget allocation for the general budget of 2022, extended the terms of municipal and elective councils until May 31, 2023, and adopted amendments concerning the establishment of the Economic and Social Council, as well as protections for areas affected by the Beirut port explosion and compensation for the families of victims in the Talil – Akkar blast.
