Mikati Informed by Abdullah on "Democratic Gathering" Efforts in Presidential File

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with Environment Minister Nasser Yassin this morning at the Serail, where they discussed the general situation and affairs of the ministry. Mikati then received Member of the Democratic Gathering Bloc, MP Bilal Abdullah, who stated after the meeting: "I discussed with His Excellency the general situation and the efforts being made by the 'Gathering' towards the parliamentary blocs to create a breakthrough in the issue of the presidency." Abdullah also addressed two matters with Prime Minister Mikati. The first concerned supporting the draft law proposed by the "Democratic Gathering," which relates to extending the retirement age for civil service employees across all categories to prevent vacancies and facilitate hiring new staff, allowing for the utilization of the existing expertise of all employees from various categories. This proposal has been in the parliamentary council for about two or three years, and I believe that the adoption of it by the Prime Minister and the government will give it momentum toward approval and discussion. The Lebanese administration and all institutions are suffering from vacancies and the challenges of employing new staff, and at least in the transitional phase, we should benefit from the existing expertise within the administration and in all positions." He added: "The second issue I discussed with His Excellency Prime Minister Mikati is related to the government's gathering in the town of Shuwayfat, which the Council for Development and Reconstruction has been working on for years to serve as a center for all official institutions in the town benefitting the entire Chouf region. There was a clear promise from Prime Minister Mikati to find the necessary funding to complete the building so that it can serve as a shelter for all official administrative, financial, service, and judicial institutions." Mikati also met with a delegation from the "Depositors' Cry Association."