Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met today, Monday, with Fouad Zamakhal, head of the International Federation of Lebanese Businessmen and Businesswomen, leading a delegation. After the meeting, Zamakhal noted that "there is no doubt that the war in Gaza has economic repercussions on the entire region, particularly on Lebanon and our companies. It is also true that there are wars not made by our hands, but there are also wars of our making. It is absolutely unacceptable for there to be a boycott of the presidency of the government because this is a time for solidarity and for instilling confidence in our people." He stated: "We need internal management, not just diplomacy, and we need the Cabinet to meet every day to restore confidence in our economy, our people, and our companies."
Regarding the proposed budget for 2024, he confirmed that "Lebanese companies that have managed to face the biggest socio-economic crisis in history, including the August 4 explosion, and have managed to restore everything that was destroyed, cannot fund the government or governments. Before raising taxes, let us start with tax collection; before collecting from the people who are paying, let us start implementing existing laws." He discussed with Mikati "how to confront the destructive war in Gaza and along the borders of Lebanon economically and to travel the world to seek financial, economic, and security support, and to implement resolution 1701." They also touched upon peace agreements should they occur in the region, which require a president to represent Lebanon; therefore, the constitution must be respected to negotiate peace, and that we must be prepared for all potential scenarios.
Zamakhal announced: "As investors, we will continue to invest in Lebanon, but we need support from the government, which must be able to convene and present a true and united image of Lebanon."
Mikati also welcomed MP Farid Haykal Al-Khazen, where they reviewed the latest developments in the country, discussing the vacancy in the presidency and military leadership and how to protect the military institution. They addressed the closure of property registration offices in Mount Lebanon, with Al-Khazen considering the issue serious and related to the state's higher interest. He questioned, "Why have these offices been closed for over a year, and why are criminal lawsuits being filed against about 95 percent of the employees in these offices? Why only Mount Lebanon and not other regions? Who wants to destroy the national economy in this way and ruin what remains of tax collection, especially since these offices are among the largest sources of state revenue?"
Al-Khazen added: "This matter prompted me to take this action, and Prime Minister Mikati promised to resolve the issue by inviting both the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Finance, as well as the Director General of the property registration offices, to a meeting in the coming days to find a definitive solution to this matter." He confirmed that "this issue cannot remain unresolved," emphasizing that they are not defending any employee who erred or violated the law, but there is the larger interest of the state and an entire economic cycle. He concluded, "This issue has garnered adequate attention from the President of the Parliament and the Prime Minister, and there will be a meeting in the coming days to resolve it."
Mikati also received Hungary’s Ambassador to Lebanon, Ferenc Csillag.
