Today, Wednesday, Deputy Wail Abu Faour, after meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail, stated that "we must not allow a vacancy in the military council, and I raised the issue of appointing a military council with the Prime Minister. All political forces in the government and the relevant ministers must take responsibility in this matter. Were it not for the army, events would have taken a completely different direction, and we would have entered into a maze from which we could not escape. We must not take the vacancy in the military council lightly; this is a critical issue that requires serious handling from all political forces making up the government, not on the basis of pleasing one party or another, but based on the existence of a military council that fulfills its duties."
Abu Faour added, "I had the honor of meeting with the Prime Minister, and it was a broad discussion on many topics, including educational matters and the great efforts being made by the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education to secure the necessities for the upcoming academic year, specifically public education whether in the Lebanese University or in other sectors of public education. It is clear, as stated by the President of the Lebanese University and the Minister of Education, that there are essential needs that must be secured, and the Prime Minister is working on this matter."
He continued, "Of course, the second matter we discussed, and everyone knows, is that the optimal solution is to elect a new president of the republic. This president, along with the government that will follow his election, could set a program for economic and social salvation. However, until that time, we hope that the French initiative, supported by other countries, succeeds in achieving results in the consultations or meetings or dialogue called for in September. Until then, we must avoid any shortcoming in the functioning of institutions, whether in the Parliament or the Cabinet. With all due respect to many opinions expressed, we should not accept or submit to the excuse of not electing a president of the republic, which is something we must not tolerate, to accept the disabling of all other institutions."
Regarding other matters, Abu Faour noted, "it pertains to the security events that took place in the past two weeks, particularly in Al-Kahala. We call for two things: first, to refrain from attacking the army and questioning its integrity, and if there are any comments, they should be made behind closed doors, not in the media, and should not be seen as a form of doubt."
**Japan**
Prime Minister Mikati received Japanese State Minister for Foreign Affairs Kenji Yamada, in the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to Beirut, Masayuki Magoishi, and Mikati's advisor, Ambassador Petrus Asaker. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance relations and cooperation between Lebanon and Japan. Mikati thanked Japan for the assistance it provides to refugees and host communities and mentioned the exchange of support for the countries' nominations in international organizations, as well as requesting the Japanese minister's support for Lebanon in the Security Council, particularly regarding the renewal of UNIFIL forces.
**Germany**
Mikati also received the German Ambassador to Beirut, Andreas Kindl, in a farewell visit. He met with former Deputy Shamel Roukoz, former Deputy Bahia Hariri, Lebanon's Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Fouad Dandan, and Father Eli Madi.
