Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati confirmed that holding a Cabinet session is contingent upon the conclusion of discussions regarding the adjustment of public sector salaries and potential benefits. He explained to his visitors that the ministerial committee assigned to address the repercussions of the financial crisis on public services is continuing its meetings to thoroughly study feasible proposals in alignment with suggestions from the Ministry of Finance, based on the need for balance and avoiding a recurrence of inflation and increased deficits to cover salary costs. He noted that this issue is also part of the preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
He further clarified that the situation of retirees is also being considered apart from the pressures of threats and populism employed by some, to assist and support this group of people who have provided essential services across all sectors, particularly in military and security fields. He stated, "I explained this to the delegation of retired military personnel that visited me at the Serail, acknowledging that we had previously allocated funds for retirees as part of the benefits approved for the public sector."
Miqati stressed the importance of dedicating necessary funds for the State Employees Cooperative and the military medical care fund. Regarding the rocket launches from the south and the Israeli bombardment of Lebanese villages, as well as claims about governmental negligence or incapacity, he responded: "Everything said in this context falls within the framework of media campaigns and unfounded targeting. From the very first moment the events in the south began, we made necessary communications with all parties involved and relevant international entities away from the spotlight, because these issues cannot be addressed with media noise or statements."
He continued, "I instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act in parallel and make appropriate contacts, and when the required measures were taken, we stated our accurate and clear position. During the crisis, I held a meeting with Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, where we asked him to pressure Israel to halt any operations that would further escalate tensions in the south. We emphasized that Lebanon absolutely rejects any military escalation from its territory and the use of Lebanese land to carry out operations that destabilize the existing stability. Initial investigations by the army revealed that those who launched the rockets were not organized groups, but rather non-Lebanese elements, and the action was a reaction to the Israeli aggression against Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip."
The caretaker Prime Minister affirmed that the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the persistent violation of Lebanese sovereignty are unacceptable, and we have submitted a new complaint in this regard to the UN Secretary-General and the Security Council. Regarding the campaigns directed at him personally and against governmental work, he said: "It became clear from the first day the government took on its responsibilities after the vacancy in the presidency that there is a political team that does not want this government to function and operates on the basis that the goal is to reach a complete paralysis of the government, after the existing paralysis in the work of the parliament, to bring the country to total collapse. This team acts on the basis of delayed revenge on the Taif Agreement and works to undermine it by all means, but the strangest thing is that this same team distorts the facts and accuses the government of not paying attention to the observations and warnings of the International Monetary Fund, while this same team contributes to the obstruction of the projects sent by the government to the Parliament."
Miqati confirmed that the government will continue its work based on its national convictions and constitutional obligations, and is not aiming to replace or usurp anyone's powers. He urged the dissenters to stop hindering the process of electing a new president and to fulfill their constitutional duties first.
