Mikati leads crucial ministerial meeting on current events

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati led a comprehensive ministerial consultation on Monday to address recent military and security developments in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Originally, Mikati had scheduled a Cabinet meeting, but this was substituted with a consultative gathering due to the ongoing boycott of Cabinet sessions by ministers from the Free Patriotic Movements since the end of Michel Aoun’s presidency.

“At the start of the meeting, I wanted to review the overall security situation, particularly in the south, the refugee situation, and the availability of essential goods in the country,” Mikati stated.

He emphasized the importance of the meeting: “We convene to deliberate on our nation’s critical security situation and national affairs, and to outline measures that can fortify our social stability.”

Mikati also highlighted the need for Lebanon to present a united front on the Syrian refugee issue to the international community.

Addressing the assassination of Lebanese Forces official Pascal Sleiman and subsequent tensions, Mikati praised the investigative efforts of the army and security forces and commended the calls for calm and patience from political and religious leaders. He urged security agencies to tackle the rising crimes among some Syrian refugees in the country.

“The Interior Minister must rigorously enforce Lebanese laws against all refugees, particularly addressing any law violations firmly,” Mikati declared.

Additionally, Mikati expressed concern over Israeli military actions in southern Lebanon, stressing that these should not distract from the ongoing domestic issues. “We have consistently opposed war, yet we cannot overlook Israeli assaults, nor can we tolerate violations of our airspace,” he stated.

Mikati concluded by warning that Israel’s actions were pushing the region towards war and called on the international community to intervene and halt the conflict.