The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a cabinet meeting today, Tuesday, at the Grand Serail. In his opening remarks, Mikati stated: "It has been seventy-four days since the tragedy of the war on Gaza, the repeated assaults on southern Lebanon, the injuries among civilians, and the humanitarian suffering due to crime and extermination. Our people in the south are victims of daily Israeli attacks, with villages, land, and crops all being set on fire. A salute to Lebanese solidarity that has proven Lebanon to be a resilient and resistant country: some of us resist on the ground, and some resist through politics, national positions, international forums, the parliament, the government, security forces, and administration, despite all life’s circumstances."
He added: "On behalf of the cabinet and the Lebanese people, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the friendly State of Kuwait on the passing of Lebanon's friend, the late Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, wishing him mercy, and hoping for the utmost success for His Highness Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in continuing the successful diplomatic role of Kuwait, especially regarding strengthening bilateral relations between Lebanon and Kuwait."
Mikati continued: "We followed this week's parliamentary sessions, which affirmed the legislative stability that governs the realistic rationality of parliament's role, and that adherence to the spirit of institutional work is the only way to rescue the country from stagnation and competition. Legislative stability extends to all situations in the country, like security stability, including matters related to the army and security forces, in addition to legislations that concern people’s affairs and the proper functioning of the state."
He pointed out that "we continue to insist on the necessity of expediting the election of a president for the republic and the reestablishment of constitutional institutions. The parliament must continue its legislative work, and I hope Lebanon will have a president soon."
Regarding the rights of employees and the military, he stated: "We insist on granting fair rights that take into account the reality of the treasury and public finances; this file is under follow-up to reach a fair solution for everyone." He concluded: "If a cabinet meeting is not convened before the end of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Lebanese, on behalf of the government, that the new year be a year of peace, goodness, and joyful holidays for all Lebanese, both residents and expatriates, hoping for mercy for the martyrs who elevate for Lebanon."
Information indicated that Mikati informed the ministers about the details of the letter he sent to Minister of Defense Maurice Slim, requesting suggestions regarding filling the vacancies in the chief of staff and the military council positions, noting that Slim had not yet responded. It was also reported that Mikati said during the session: "The Minister of Defense, whose cries rose in the Serail, is finished with me."
For his part, Slim stated in a television interview that he responded to Mikati’s letter at nine this morning, prior to the session, after Mikati's letter reached the Ministry of Defense's secretariat at two o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Before the session, communications minister Johnny Qorm confirmed that "today's session will not witness the appointment of a chief of staff and I do not believe there are any proposals outside the agenda." In response to a question, Minister of Agriculture Abbas Haj Hasan pointed out that "the rights of retired civilians and military personnel are a priority."
