Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati chaired a series of ministerial meetings on Wednesday to address the current situation and review the readiness of Lebanese ministries and administrations in case of any emergencies. In this context, the Prime Minister met with Environment Minister Nasser Yassine, Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamiyeh, Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Mekki, and Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council Major General Mohammed Mustafa.
After the meeting, Minister Yassine stated: "We presented to the Prime Minister the results of the expanded meeting of the 'Crisis and Disaster Management Committee' held today to showcase and enhance readiness in case of an escalation of Israeli attacks. All ministries and official administrations, as well as international partner organizations, were invited to implement the emergency plan, including key syndicates such as the Food Importers Syndicate. We discussed five main points:
1. The issue of shelter and how to improve and equip shelter centers, which we have been working on with the Ministry of Education and humanitarian partner organizations.
2. Health and the emergency plan being developed by the Ministry of Health, where the situation and readiness of hospitals and health centers were presented.
3. The food file, where food importers have confirmed that food supplies are secured, and the current situation is normal regarding available quantities and supply lines, with no issues on this matter. However, within the framework of the scenarios being developed, we discussed how to deliver food supplies in case of an escalation in attacks and enhancing the readiness of all entities concerned with food distribution, especially to ensure delivery to all citizens in Lebanon.
4. The availability of fuel, which is currently secured and maintains a normal supply scenario. We discussed securing gasoline and diesel specifically for four strategic sectors: bakeries, hospitals, water pumping stations, and telecommunications centers.
5. Additionally, we discussed various matters related to enhancing readiness, which we presented in detail to the Prime Minister. The Secretary General of the Supreme Defense Council also provided details of what is happening on the ground with governors, municipalities, and relief organizations, as well as coordination with donors from international organizations."
He added: "Currently, meetings will remain open, and working groups related to these points will also keep their meetings open to update all data and issues related to implementing the emergency plan."
Transportation Minister Ali Hamiyeh also met with the Prime Minister, stating after the meeting: "We put Prime Minister Mikati in the picture regarding the situation at Rafic Hariri International Airport, as well as concerning Lebanon's maritime facilities and infrastructure. We have been closely monitoring these issues, especially in the last ten days regarding the airport to facilitate the departure of citizens and the arrival of goods through maritime ports. We informed the Prime Minister about the ministry's plans for readiness in case of any emergency regarding infrastructure, the airport, and maritime ports, in addition to discussing administrative and financial matters and how to overcome obstacles in the current situation."
In a separate meeting, Prime Minister Mikati chaired a budget meeting involving Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh al-Shami, Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, General Director of the Ministry of Finance George Maalouly, and government advisors former Minister Nicolas Nahas and Samir Dahar. During the meeting, economic conditions were discussed, along with provisions and proposals related to the budget.
Lastly, President Mikati received the new Belgian Ambassador to Lebanon, Arnout Pauwels, in a courtesy visit on the occasion of the ambassador assuming his duties in Beirut.
