Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized that “there is a collective desire among all parties to ensure that Lebanon is spared from war.” Mikati assured that he was working in collaboration with local parties to maintain self-control and prevent Lebanon from becoming embroiled in specific risks.
Additionally, he confirmed the continuation of diplomatic communications and urged the parties they were engaging with to cease Israeli provocations in the South.
When asked about the reasons for Lebanon not receiving an invitation to the “Peace Summit” in Cairo, Mikati expressed his skepticism, stating that there “may have been a mistake in not inviting Lebanon.” He pointed out that he was initially informed by the Egyptian Administration that “countries in conflict were not being invited,” but he later learned that “another conflicting country (Jordan) was also participating in the Peace Summit.”
Mikati stressed “Lebanon’s concern for issues of peace in Palestine and the region, especially given its Palestinian population and its involvement in several matters related to the peace process.”
Regarding the possibility of war in Lebanon and the country’s preparedness for such an eventuality, he replied, “We are in a highly tense regional atmosphere, and the situation in neighboring countries is no better than ours.” Mikati mentioned that he was “conducting meetings with the Disaster Management Committee” and had “formulated a comprehensive emergency plan.”
He continued, “We have engaged in discussions with various international organizations and have extended an invitation to the United Nations for assistance, as we lack the essential resources to effectively manage various scenarios and confront them. We have prioritized the healthcare sector, the refugee issue, communications, and addressed all these matters.”
