Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is scheduled to deliver Lebanon's speech today, Wednesday, at the United Nations General Assembly. Mikati is participating in the inaugural session of the 78th annual session of the UN General Assembly, which began yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, Beirut time, in New York.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly sessions, Mikati confirmed that he "did not hear from the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State about the collapse of the French initiative," adding, "I see a stagnation regarding assistance to Lebanon until a president is elected and reforms are implemented, and no one has approached me regarding General Joseph Aoun as a candidate."
Regarding Syrian displacement, he stated: "The danger is not limited to Lebanon but to the international community and Europe. If we do not all cooperate to stop the hemorrhage of migration from Syria to outside, this hemorrhage will reach Europe." He pointed out that "the dialogue called for by Speaker Nabih Berri is unconditional, and the latter has drawn a natural path for all parties to sit at the same table, regardless of the results."
He emphasized a crucial point that "we do not want to assist the displaced in Lebanon but to return them to Syria and help them in their land, especially since the recent displacement is economic." He remarked: "We always rely on external aid, while the agreement among the Lebanese is fundamental, and that there should be consecutive sessions, and Berri's proposal is sound and a passage for everyone to be on the same page for Lebanon, not the president's name."
**Meetings**
Among his meetings in New York, Mikati held discussions with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, at the Qatari mission's headquarters at the UN. The meeting addressed the relations between Lebanon and Qatar, as well as Qatar's efforts to solve the current crisis in Lebanon.
**Erdogan**
He also held a joint meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which they discussed issues of common interest.
**Palestinian President**
Additionally, he had a bilateral meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which they addressed the Palestinian situation, particularly the recent events in the Ain al-Hilweh camp. The Palestinian President confirmed that he instructed to end these events, cease the fighting, adhere to Lebanese law, and coordinate with the Lebanese state. Mikati stressed the priority of halting military actions and cooperating with Lebanese security agencies to address ongoing tensions. He reiterated that "what is happening does not serve the Palestinian cause at all and constitutes a grave offense to the Lebanese state in general, especially to the city of Sidon that hosts Palestinians. In return, it is required that they deal with the Lebanese state according to its laws and regulations and maintain the safety of its citizens."
**Iraqi Prime Minister**
The Prime Minister also met with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiya al-Sudani, renewing his thanks for Iraq's continued support for Lebanon in all fields and its diligent follow-up on Lebanese affairs. He reiterated the invitation for Prime Minister al-Sudani to visit Lebanon soon.
