Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday presided over a cabinet meeting at the Grand Serail, attended by Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Shami, and various ministers, including Education Minister Abbas Halabi, Information Minister Ziad Makary, Youth and Sports Minister, George Kallas, and others.
In his remarks in the wake of the cabinet session, Minister of Information, Ziad Makary, emphasized the gravity of the current situation. He relayed a statement made by Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, who opened the meeting by addressing the intensifying conflict and the increasing aggression from the Israeli side.
‘As the war escalates and Israeli atrocities continue,’ Makary said as quoting Mikati, asserting, ‘we, as a government, reaffirm our commitment to Lebanon’s right to liberate its territory and preserve its sovereignty.’
Makary strongly condemned the recent Israeli attack on the ‘Al-Tabein’ school in Gaza, which resulted in the deaths of over a hundred innocent civilians. He denounced this act as
a ‘massacre’ and called on the international community to act decisively to halt what he described as ‘systematic genocide.’
Furthermore, the Information Minister noted the heavy toll Lebanon has endured over the past ten months of conflict with Gaza, asserting that the country is still paying a high price in terms of lives, destruction, and economic impact. The Minister then reiterated Lebanon’s firm stance on adhering to UN Resolution 1701, emphasizing that compliance with this resolution is essential for any potential solution to the crisis.
Makary went on to highlight the urgent need for diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and to end the Israeli aggression. He underscored that while diplomatic engagements with foreign and Arab leaders have intensified, the primary focus remains on stopping Israeli attacks and mitigating their devastating effects.
The Information Minister expressed the government’s determination to continue raising its voice against the aggression and to employ all availabl
e resources and alliances to protect the country and condemn Israeli actions. He criticized the Israeli intransigence, which he argued undermines efforts to end the conflict and disregards the initiatives of peace mediators.
Makary also reaffirmed the government’s ongoing call for the swift election of a new President to complete Lebanon’s constitutional institutions and support dialogue and understanding to expedite the election process, stressing the need for national unity during these challenging times and rejected any attempts to exploit the situation for political gain.
Makary finally addressed the need to avoid unnecessary confrontations and disputes, stating that the government’s priority is to prevent a complete collapse of state structures and maintain the functionality of public institutions. He acknowledged the current tensions and announced the temporary withdrawal of certain administrative appointment issues to avoid exacerbating the situation, while stressing that this is a temporary measure
and not a long-term solution.
In turn, Environment Minister Nasser Yassin highlighted the severity of the ongoing destruction in southern Lebanon and Gaza.
‘We must assume our responsibilities with utmost seriousness and strength,’ Yassin said, detailing the government’s emergency plans and financial provisions for immediate needs, including the establishment of shelters and health support.
Industry Minister George Boujikian addressed the media’s recent focus on the withdrawal of certain agenda items related to the Ministry of Industry and Social Affairs. He criticized the ‘National Free Movement’ for its harsh description of the government and defended the decision to retract these items, stating that they would be reconsidered in the future.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon