Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati held a series of diplomatic meetings at the Serail today. In this context, he received the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, and discussed the latest political developments as well as the situation in the south. The Prime Minister also welcomed the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Andrew Barnes, to review bilateral relations and the regional situation. The Prime Minister's Adviser, Ambassador Boutros Asaker, participated in this meeting.
Additionally, the Prime Minister met with the Commander of the Army, General Joseph Aoun, to discuss the security situation in the country and the results of his recent visit to the United States. The meeting included Chief of Staff, Major General Hassan Awda, and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, Major General Mohammed Mustafa, who offered their congratulations to the Prime Minister on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister received the Acting Director-General of General Security, Major General Elias Bechara, to discuss the security conditions in the country. Bechara also briefed the Prime Minister on the outcomes of his visit to Syria yesterday and the meetings he held to address the issue of the return of Syrian refugees.
Later, the Prime Minister welcomed the Patriarchal Deputy for the Jbeil and Bsharri-Zgharta Maronite districts, Bishop Joseph Naffaa, leading a delegation from the committee responsible for the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, which included Monsignor Estephan Frangieh, Father Youssef Tannous, Father Paul Kazi, and Captain Joseph Raidy. After the meeting, Bishop Naffaa stated, "We were honored to meet with Prime Minister Mikati and conveyed to him an invitation from Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Rai, from the parish of Ehden-Zgharta, and from the committee overseeing the beatification of Patriarch Estephan Douaihy, to attend the beatification ceremony on August 2nd in Bkerke. We were very pleased that Prime Minister Mikati confirmed his participation in the event. He expressed hope that the beatification would bring blessings to Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and that this celebration would be an opportunity for expatriates to join. We hope that the blessing of our saints will bring peace to Lebanon and lead us to better days ahead."
