Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati insisted Friday evening on the formation of a ministerial delegation to Damascus to discuss the Syrian refugee crisis. “This will be done in coordination with the hexapartite committee stemming from the Arab League,” he said in an interview with Euronews.
“We cannot force Syrians to return home, but Lebanon has its sovereignty and the right to refuse the illegal presence of any foreign person on its territory,” said Mikati. This issue does not target any particular nationality, which is why no one can accuse us of racism. What we simply want is to exercise our right to sovereignty over our entire territory, hence the decision to repatriate any foreigner who does not possess the legal documents required to reside in our country,” he asserted.
Mikati announced that he will present a roadmap of nine key points during his visit to Brussels to take part in a conference on the Syrian refugee crisis next month.
Regarding relations with the Gulf countries, notably Saudi Arabia, Najib Mikati declared that “the Iranian-Saudi agreement has eased sectarian tension.” He stressed that “Syria’s return to the Arab League and its excellent relationship with Riyadh will have positive repercussions for Lebanon.”
Asked about reports of Saudi support for Lebanon, the Prime Minister in charge of current affairs said he had not yet seen any significant Saudi investment in Lebanon. “We have pledges,” he said, “if Lebanon gets back on track.”
Turning to the question of Hezbollah, Mikati stressed that “the Arab summit issued recommendations distinguishing between terrorism and armed resistance. This is the official Lebanese position because Hezb is resisting to free the occupied Lebanese territories, as stipulated in my government’s ministerial declaration.”
The PM also insisted that no one controls the Lebanese state and that no one is greater than Lebanon’s sovereignty. “We do not tolerate the existence of a state within a state, and I am the first to criticize any practice that undermines the country’s sovereignty,” he said, contradicting his own words given that Hezbollah implements this very practice. He added, “Under no circumstances will I allow Hezbollah’s weapons to be used inside the country, and any illegal use of these weapons will be dealt with firmly and by the law.”
Regarding Lebanon’s economic crisis, Mikati stressed that he would implement the economic and social reforms needed to revive the economy and improve living conditions for citizens. “We will work closely with our international partners and financial institutions to obtain the necessary assistance and implement a solid economic recovery program,” he noted.
“We have submitted the reforms required by the IMF to Parliament and have set up a general anti-corruption commission with the appointment of its members, who are currently fulfilling their obligations,” explained the Caretaker Prime Minister.
In response to a question about the fate of Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh, Mikati said that “the Lebanese judiciary plays an essential role in this affair. What matters to us is preserving the institutions. We must not focus on the person, but on the institution, which must remain a source of respect for the world and the Lebanese,” he added. “The difference between the Central Bank and the State is non-existent because the latter is responsible for everything that has happened in recent years. The State must have the courage to say that it is responsible for everything that has happened.”
Turning to the fight against corruption, Mikati affirmed that his government is committed to prosecuting the corrupt and restoring the Lebanese people’s trust in State institutions. “The fight against corruption is an absolute priority. We will put in place transparency and accountability mechanisms to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and to fight against the culture of impunity,” he insisted.
Commenting on the deadlocked presidential elections, Najib Mikati said that the Lebanese system of governance was dysfunctional and needed to be corrected without compromising the implementation of the Taif Agreement. Moreover, he stressed that “when internal players agree, there is no need for foreign intervention. The most important thing is for the Lebanese players to talk to each other before any other consideration,” he remarked.
Mikati also considered that the hostility of the Free Patriotic Movement’s leader Gebran Bassil toward him and parliamentary leader Nabih Berri stemmed from personal differences, stating, “If I have made the slightest mistake in my position, I invite Bassil to elect a President of the Republic, so that he can fulfill his duty and get rid of me.” He added, “Gebran Bassil considers that I am clinging to this position to monopolize power, but in reality, I am carrying out the tasks entrusted to me by the Constitution. The only real alternative is the election of a President”.
In another context, Mikati addressed the issue of gas imports from Egypt, pointing out that “Cairo has not placed any obstacles in this matter, but was simply requesting exemptions concerning the Caesar law due to the gas being transported through Syria”. He stated, “The American administration is currently in contact with the World Bank, which is financing this project, so it is not possible to make any progress on this issue before the end of consultations between the three parties.”
