The caretaker government of Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Wednesday the allocation of LBP 150 billion for the urgent needs of the High Relief Commission, amidst growing risks of an open conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
The announcement was made at the end of a cabinet meeting that focused on a national emergency plan, according to the Minister of Environment, Nasser Yassin.
“This plan has been elaborated in coordination with local administrations and the governors who have revitalized the crisis management committees,” Yassin said.
In this context, Mikati gave instructions to guarantee credits in the event of aggression, insisting that these allocated funds “be spent with absolute transparency and in compliance with all the mechanisms and procedures for monitoring and controlling expenditure.”
Yassin pointed out that “the caretaker Prime Minister would give final approval for the allocation of these funds.”
“These would be gradually increased to meet urgent needs of the Ministry of Health and crisis management committees in the governorates, as well as equipping 200 schools to adapt them as shelters in the event of intensified attacks,” he added.
Yassin concluded that cooperation with international organizations is also underway.
In response to a question about the electricity issue, Minister of Information Ziad Makary asserted that the problem would be solved before Saturday.
“Part of the fuel oil required will be purchased on the Lebanese market, with the funds being provided by the Electricity company,” he said.
At the beginning of the session, Mikati announced his decision to withdraw temporarily from the agenda of the Council of Ministers, the items on filling vacancies in certain administrations.
He reiterated the call “to speed up the election of a President of the Republic, condemning “sterile debates” in this regard, and reaffirmed “Lebanon’s clear position” on the conflict in the South, which is to “strictly respect the provisions of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.”
