The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati discussed with the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib the results of the communications he had during Davos with several foreign leaders, heads of governments, and foreign ministers. He explained the situation in southern Lebanon in light of the repeated Israeli attacks against it, in addition to calling for an end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza. The discussion also covered the results of the Arab League Council meeting at the ministerial level, which was held yesterday, and the statement issued from that meeting.
Mikati affirmed "total support for any Arab country against any aggression it faces," emphasizing "that we stand by Iraq against the Iranian bombing that has targeted the Kurdistan region of Iraq." He also met with the Canadian ambassador to Lebanon, Stephanie McCulum, who noted after the meeting that "I wished Mikati a happy new year, and we talked about current issues, including the need to stop escalation and avoid a rise in war, as well as the presidential election and the economic conditions in Lebanon."
Mikati also received a delegation from the "National Moderation" bloc, which included MPs: Walid Baa'laini, Mohammad Suleiman, Saji' Atiyah, and Ahmad Rustum. Suleiman announced after the meeting that "we discussed the current situation and emphasized the necessity of electing a president for the republic as soon as possible, as the Lebanese citizen can no longer bear it. We also addressed the damage caused by the rains in Akkar, and requested an assessment be conducted along with providing assistance to the farmers who should be supported."
Mikati also received Army chief Joseph Aoun, along with a delegation from his family, who thanked him for his condolences on the passing of the army chief's mother. He furthermore met with Cyprus's National Security Advisor and Director of the Intelligence Service, Tassos Tzionis.
