Category: Politics

Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Thursday delivered the following word in the wake of the cabinet session:

‘Out of our keenness for the current situation in the country and for constitutional institutions to function fully, there was a collective insistence by all ministers to convene the Cabinet today to address all matters raised in these challenging circumstances, with a view to what is best for Lebanon and the Lebanese people.

At the outset of the session, the 2024 budget law was approved due to its significant importance in managing state affairs, and once published, it will be implemented immediately.

Furthermore, the second issue discussed, raised by some ministers, concerns increasing productivity allowances for the public sector, military personnel, and retirees. This item was not initially on the agenda. I am surprised by all this commotion because it was not scheduled for discussion today. However, given the ministers’ eagerness to approve this matter as soon as possible to ensure cont
inuity in the public sector and to give everyone their due rights, we have decided to hold an extraordinary Cabinet session next Saturday to specifically discuss this item after distributing the proposed projects to the ministers for review. We fully understand the importance of this matter.

I am fully aware of the current reality and the social situation of retirees and the conditions they are experiencing. However, we are bound by a certain spending ceiling that we cannot exceed, and within this framework, some ministers have requested considering the possibility of achieving more justice in the required distributions. For this reason, the next session on Saturday will address this matter. This issue was not approved because it was not originally on the Cabinet’s agenda, and we will reconsider it next Saturday.

The Cabinet also discussed security and military conditions in Lebanon and Israeli aggression and all necessary security requirements. With a pressing need to appoint a Chief of Staff for the army,
the Cabinet decided to appoint Brigadier General Hassan Audi as Chief of Staff and promote him to the rank of Major General. This matter is critical today given the circumstances Lebanon is facing.

In the course of the session, general topics were discussed, and at the outset of the session, Dr. Nawaf Salam was congratulated on behalf of the Cabinet, as it is an honor for Lebanon to have Dr. Nawaf Salam as the President of the International Court of Justice.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

ABU DHABI: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of condolences to President Gabriel Boric Font of Chile over the death of former Chilean President Sebastian Pinera. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai; and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar messages to President Font.

Source: Emirates News Agency

House Speaker, Nabih Berri, on Thursday welcomed at the second presidency headquarters in Ain el-Tineh, a French delegation comprising Frédéric Mondoloni, Director General of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alice Rufo, Director General of International and Strategic Relations at the Ministry of Defense, Emmanuel Souka, Deputy Director of North Africa and the Middle East at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro.

Also present at the meeting was Speaker Berri’s Advisor, Dr. Mahmoud Berri.

Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in Lebanon and the region, in light of Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Berri stressed to the delegation ‘commitment to full implementation of Resolution 1701,” stressing ”the necessity of strengthening the Lebanese army, and cooperating with UNIFIL forces.”

Soeaker Berri later received at Ain el-Tineh, the Iraqi Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Abbas Jabr al-Maliki, and the a
ccompanying delegation, in the presence of the Head of the Iraqi Mission in Lebanon, Amin al-Nasrawi, and the Lebanese Ambassador to Iraq, Ali Habhab. Discussions reportedly dwelt on the general situation and bilateral relations between the two countries, especially the agricultural cooperation program between Lebanon and Iraq.

This afternoon, Berri received the Minister of Health of the Republic of Latvia, Dr. Hossam Abu Merhi, in the presence of the Latvian Consul to Lebanon, Gerard Renno.

The general situation and the bilateral relations between the two countries featured high on their talks.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel met with US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson with talks featuring high on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

During the meeting, emphasis was placed on Lebanon’s importance, the Quintet Committee’s role, and its unified stance regarding the urgency of electing a president for the republic as soon as possible and facilitating the process by all parties involved.

Gemayel stressed the necessity of protecting Lebanon, its neutrality, and preventing its entanglement in the ongoing regional conflict.

He also urged the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1701, restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty, reinstating the functionality of its institutions, and separating the presidency from conflict-related issues.

Gemayel underscored the importance of the support provided by the United States to the Lebanese Army and its pivotal role in protecting the borders and defending Lebanon and its people.

The meeting was attended by Kataeb Lawmaker Selim Sayegh, Kataeb Political Bureau Memb
er Zeina Hobeika, as well as Kataeb Foreign Affairs Advisor Dr. Michel Abou Abdallah.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

The Cabinet on Thursday convened in session at the Grand Serail under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Najib Mikati.

At the outset of the session, Mikati emphasized “the importance of holding the Cabinet meeting under the current circumstances facing the country.”

Following the Cabinet session, Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced the approval of the 2024 budget, adding that it will be immediately implemented.

“We have decided to hold an extraordinary Cabinet session next Saturday to continue discussions on the situation of retired military personnel and public sector employees,’ Mikati added.

Furthermore, it was announced that Brigadier General Hassan Audi has been appointed Chief of Staff of the Army.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon