The Minister of Information in the caretaker government, Ziad Mikati, pointed out that the national fabric in Lebanon is fundamentally threatened due to the largest crisis Lebanon has ever known: the Syrian displacement crisis. Mikati stated in a speech during his participation in the 54th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information in Manama, "While we discuss media, communication, freedom of expression, acceptance of others, dialogue, and tolerance, southern Lebanon is igniting with bombing, destruction, and devastation, and the Israeli racist machine is persistently killing, displacing, and uprooting its citizens. While we are looking here for the best ways to rejuvenate our Arab media and strengthen the ties of solidarity among its components, the Israeli enemy persists in silencing every free journalist who speaks the truth, and the list of murdered journalists and photographers has sadly grown between besieged Gaza and wounded Lebanon."
He added, "Perhaps Lebanon's fate is to sacrifice, confront, and endure today, every day, and in all times and conditions. How can it not, being situated in a highly volatile region, buffeted by the winds of geography and history as they blow? Yet it remains steadfast, rooted, solid, solid as the wood of its cedars. Lebanon has long been celebrated throughout history for its pure national fabric handed down from generation to generation, and its people have always been distinguished by their attachment to the land of their ancestors, clinging to it as part of their identity and belonging. However, this national fabric is now fundamentally threatened, as a result of the largest crisis Lebanon has ever faced: the Syrian displacement crisis, which has stretched, expanded, and increased to surpass half of Lebanon's original population, which no country in the world can withstand."
He added, "From this platform, we, the attendees here at the 54th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information, call upon our Arab brothers, from the perspective of solidarity and mutual support, to assist Lebanon in its government plan to confront the worst demographic and existential crisis it is experiencing. This is through endorsing the official decision to deport all Syrians who do not meet legal conditions, and closing any loopholes through which new displacement can seep into a country that is already suffocating and cannot bear more. We are confident that our Arab brothers want for Lebanon what they want for their own nations: prosperity, stability, and security."
Mikati continued, "And we must not overlook, while we are in Bahrain, to always praise the dialogue adopted as a choice for the culture of diversity, dialogue, and acceptance of the other in this friendly country, which has contributed to enriching and enhancing freedom of belief. In this turbulent East, where extremism has prevailed in the name of a religion that has been misused in more than one place, and where murder, terrorism, and intimidation became the language, we saw Bahrain distinguishing itself in a different approach to all forms of backwardness, and opposing every attempt at erasure, suppression, or violence. It has shone like a beacon to be followed in the darkness and serves as a model to emulate in the culture of dialogue, freedom of belief, and diversity. It is not strange to pause appreciatively at this feature, as Lebanon knows well the meaning of diversity, freedoms, and dialogue, and values these principles that it has experienced in the best of ways."
He noted that "Beirut was, in 2023, the capital of Arab media, adorned in the most beautiful attire, wearing the noblest phrases and expressing the purest language, welcoming its guests, pioneers, and lovers, within the sanctuary of the word and the temple of media. Today, it passes the torch to Manama, the cradle of culture and the maker of brilliance, keen to keep the flame of media alive, serving our Arab community first and, subsequently, the global community, in this universe that, no matter how vast, can now be contained within a screen, platform, or application, in the age of artificial intelligence and immense and immediate advancements."
He went on to say, "As we thank our Arab brothers for their trust and support for Beirut as the capital of Arab media, we pass the trust to Manama, with peace of mind, as if it were still in our hands, as we are certain that media here will be in its best state, in terms of production, creativity, modernity, and simulating all that the era, profession, and word require of intellectual and technical brilliance. Our gratitude goes to your esteemed council for providing the opportunity to speak for Beirut, the city of words, civilization, media, science, and laws."
Mikati concluded, "Allow me to make a point that comes to my mind every time I think about Bahrain being the smallest Arab country in area; it is rich in cultural extension and dense in media presence, just like Lebanon, small in area but grand in role, history, and civilization. It is no wonder, as the best essences and perfumes come in the smallest bottles."
