The caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, announced at the beginning of the Cabinet session that "regardless of the rising concern over the security situation in the south and the threats of Israel launching a war against Lebanon, our interests remain focused on preventing the expansion of the war. Friendly countries continuously express their interest in Lebanon and their assistance to prevent this war from escalating. In this regard, I recently hosted the German Foreign Minister and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who graciously announced their rescue initiatives towards Lebanon. We always emphasize our commitment to implementing Resolution 1701 in its entirety, and we demand that the Israeli enemy adhere to it."
He added, "During my tour last week in the south, I first visited the Southern Litani Command of the army and was briefed on the security situation, where I received assurances that the army is disciplined and no soldier has failed to report to their post during this entire period. We also visited the official examination center and were informed about the measures taken to ensure the smooth conduct of these exams, which is a great achievement under these circumstances. It is worth noting the efforts of the Minister of Education and the students' eagerness to participate in the exams, despite the challenging conditions. We also visited, along with the Minister of Health, the emergency center in the south, and I noticed the enthusiasm and presence of various health bodies and their cooperation. While we hope that the aggressions do not escalate, we confirm that the government is present in all its capacities."
He continued, "I would like to mention that some of what is being circulated in the media and politically regarding potential post-war negotiations scenarios in the south is inaccurate or does not accurately reflect the reality of the preliminary communications that have taken place. Therefore, we hope to avoid discussing this matter to preserve the Lebanese position on restoring all Lebanese rights. We also consistently affirm that the sacrifices, resilience, and unity of the Lebanese people are the clearest answer to all the challenges we face."
Mikati stressed, "Our firm position is that constitutional stability requires electing a president. Political differences should not prevent the solidarity of Lebanese people to expedite rescuing our nation from the dangers threatening it. Neither the people can wait any longer, nor do we want to bear the responsibility of managing the affairs of the people and state alone. Shared responsibility is the gateway to salvation."
He confirmed, "We are closely monitoring the economic situation, regarding the rise in food, health care, and educational costs. I call on the concerned ministers to follow up on this issue to find a reasonable balance between the economic capabilities of the citizens and the costs of providing these services while maintaining quality, outside of attempts at greed and exploitation of circumstances. We will not allow citizens to be victims of investments and the ambitions of some, in the absence of oversight and accountability."
He pointed out that "the relevant agencies are responsible for following up on the situation on the ground," stating, "We are also in the process of taking measures to address the urgent developments in the electricity file. I also informed the Cabinet that we are studying with an administrative and financial team the topic of correcting salaries and wages in the public sector."
He added, "I received a report from the committee tasked with amending the Currency and Credit Law, which also includes a draft of the justifications for the proposed amendments and a comparative table between the current text of the Currency and Credit Law and the proposed text. The amendments are fundamental, not merely formal, noting that this is the first amendment to the law since it was established in 1963. Before presenting the draft law to you in preparation for sending it to Parliament, the General Secretariat of the Cabinet sent the project to the Legislation and Consultations Authority for its opinion before presenting it to the Cabinet."
He continued, "We are all working together to ensure the normal flow of life in Lebanon, insisting on the success of the summer season, enhancing tourism investment, and economically fighting, along with appreciating the role of expatriates in supporting the revival and resilience against aggressions in the south. In this context, we commend the efforts of the Minister of Tourism, who consistently proves that the Lebanese can effectively resume their active presence."
He added, "Regarding the airport file, it is essential to praise what the Minister of Public Works is doing and the tour he conducted with the ministers concerned. We confirm that what has been said about the airport falls within the framework of the rumors and the psychological war waged against Lebanon. The information published by The Telegraph about the airport is incorrect, and we are engaging in diplomatic communications to clarify the matter."
He concluded, "In the file of Syrian refugees, the General Security is following up on the details of what was agreed upon. I am surprised by what some are saying about the decline in international support for Lebanon in financing this file, and this same group is launching campaigns against the government if it requests support and assistance in this regard."
