Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Minister of Agriculture Abbas al-Hajj Hassan this morning at the Grand Serail. Al-Hajj Hassan stated, "I briefed the President on the latest developments in agricultural files, particularly following the crises that have affected the sector due to the ongoing Israeli aggression for over three months, as well as the successive storms that have caused significant damage both on the coast and inland. I also informed him about the preparations for signing a Lebanese-Iraqi memorandum of understanding next week, where the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture will be visiting Beirut and Lebanon. In this context, the President confirmed that the relationship with Iraq is strategic and fraternal given the historical ties between the two countries and Iraq's support for Lebanon."
He added: "I also updated him on what the Ministry of Agriculture is doing regarding wheat and confirmed to him that there are some files in the agricultural sector that must be prioritized through international support and domestic backup, and of course, he was very responsive." In response to a question about importing Egyptian potatoes, the Minister of Agriculture said, "We are committed to the agreement signed between the two countries, which starts imports from February 1 until March 31. We have discussed this extensively with farmers, traders, and exporters, and we hope to have smooth operations in this regard, especially since the relationships with our brethren in Egypt are very solid and strategic. Egypt stands by us, as most of our summer fruits were exported to sister Egypt, and this is very positive and beneficial since we are today restoring trust between Lebanon and Arab countries and the world."
Additionally, the Prime Minister received the President of the Lebanese University, Bassam Badran, and the head of the Executive Committee of the Association of Full-Time Professors, and discussed the university's conditions and its demands.
Mikati also met with MP Waddah Sadiq, who clarified that he discussed with President Mikati the "Mazhar Housing Project" in Naameh and the danger it poses to its residents, noting that about 100 families are threatened with displacement. He said: "The Governor of Mount Lebanon issued a decision to evacuate the project, which is justified, and President Mikati was responsive, and we will coordinate with the Higher Relief Committee to find a way to address the matter." He added, "We also touched on the importance of paving the streets in Beirut and how to increase municipal revenues by utilizing advertising boards on the bridges."
Moreover, the Prime Minister met with the acting Governor of the Central Bank, Wassim Mansouri. He also made a call to Minister of Health Firas Abyad, directing him to give utmost care to artist Salah Tizani (Abu Salim), who was hospitalized after experiencing a health emergency.
