In a statement from Bkerke following his meeting with Maronite Patriarch Bechara Raï, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati addressed those who criticize governmental sessions, saying: "They should go ahead and elect a president because it is the way to salvation." The meeting lasted about an hour and took place before Mikati heads to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis.
In a conversation with reporters, Mikati expressed, "The spring of Lebanon is near, God willing, with the blessing of Patriarch Raï." He added, "I am in constant contact with His Eminence, and views were aligned on the necessity of electing a president as soon as possible, to begin addressing the solution because without a political resolution, we cannot get out of the crisis."
He continued: "The public facility must continue to operate, and the longer the time extends, the greater the powers of the caretaker government become so that we can follow up on state matters appropriately."
Mikati also addressed the "outrageous and disgusting" rhetoric related to sectarian issues and the sectarian accusations that His Eminence referred to as "political hysteria." He deemed this talk indicative of "political bankruptcy" at this particular time, as "the approach we are undertaking is not sectarian; everyone knows my role and that I have only ever acted in a national capacity in every sense of the word. I believe that pluralism is a source of wealth for Lebanon and all Lebanese." He affirmed, "The Taif Agreement is the fundamental agreement that protects all these matters, which I follow up on in every sense of the word."
Mikati noted, "I also exchanged views with His Eminence regarding the visit to the Vatican and my meeting with His Holiness the Pope, and I promised His Eminence another visit after my return to inform him of the results of the visit."
