Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati confirmed from Jeddah, “Lebanon is suffering from multiple crises that have weighed heavily on the Lebanese people, who are living through lean years in which they suffer daily from the loss of the basic moral and material ingredients that enable them to stand firm,” noting that “this situation has become more complicated.” There is a vacancy in the presidency of the republic and it is not possible to elect a new president.
And while he said that “Lebanon has never hesitated to open its doors to our displaced Syrian brothers, out of faith in the brotherhood of the two peoples and the advancement of humanitarian considerations above everything else,” he considered that “the very large increase in the number of displaced people makes the displacement crisis greater than Lebanon’s ability to bear.” The sponsor of the summit, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said, “We look forward to the Kingdom’s patronage and its gesture towards Lebanon to rise again, respecting the interests of brotherly countries, their sovereignty, and their social and political security.” He concluded by inviting all Arab brothers to return to Lebanon.
President Mikati’s speech came during his delivery of Lebanon’s speech before the Arab Summit Conference in Jeddah, after entering the summit hall and shaking hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Bringing to it the hopes and pains of their peoples, and looking forward to achieving a better tomorrow for them under the Kingdom’s presidency of the current session of the summit. Thanks are also extended to sisterly Algeria for all the efforts it made during its presidency of the previous session.
He added, “From Algeria, which worked steadily and quietly for reunification, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the incubator of all Arabs, whose leadership we trust in the wisdom and ability to reconnect what was broken between brothers who unite them much more than what separates them. Allow me to call this summit the “Healing the Wounds” summit. It was preceded by an agreement to restore relations to normal between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as the return of sister Syria to play its full role in the League of Arab States.
He continued: «The Arab problems and issues we all know, from the tragedy of Palestine, to Yemen and recently to the unfortunate situation in Sudan, but I want to talk about my country, Lebanon, which continues to suffer from multiple crises that have weighed heavily on the Lebanese people who are living in lean years in which they suffer daily. What he suffers from is the loss of the basic moral and material ingredients that enable him to stand firm.
He said, “This situation has been further complicated by the vacancy of the presidency and the inability to elect a new president. In addition, Lebanon has never hesitated to open its doors to our displaced Syrian brothers, out of faith in the brotherhood of the two peoples and the preference of humanitarian considerations over everything else. However, the long duration of the crisis, the faltering of its treatment, and the very large increase in the number of displaced persons, make the displacement crisis greater than Lebanon’s capacity to bear, in terms of its infrastructure, social influences and political repercussions at home, and in terms of the natural right of those displaced to return to their cities and villages.
He added, “It is a return that cannot be achieved if Arab efforts are not combined, with the support of the international community, and through communication and dialogue with sister Syria within the framework of an inclusive and stimulating Arab position through construction and recovery projects for the demolished areas to set a road map for the return of the Syrian brothers to their homes.”
And he continued, “In this meeting, it is necessary to confirm Lebanon’s respect for all successive international resolutions issued by the UN Security Council and the decisions of the Arab League and its charter, and its commitment to implementing its provisions. I also affirm, in the name of all of Lebanon, respecting the interests of brotherly countries, their sovereignty, and their social and political security, and combating the export of contraband to them and everything that harms stability in them. It is a firm commitment that stems from a sense of responsibility towards our brothers and our concern for their security and safety and the purity and sincerity of fraternal relations with them.
He said, addressing Prince bin Salman, by saying, “Whoever was able to transfer the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its youth to the leadership and pioneering positions that they have reached and transform the Kingdom into a productive country in all the meaning of the word, in a short period, it is not difficult for him to be the supporter of his brothers in Lebanon. From here, we look forward to the Kingdom’s patronage and its fraternal gesture towards my country, Lebanon, so that it can rise again.
He added, “In conclusion, I reiterate Lebanon’s thanks to the brotherly countries, especially the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, for providing job opportunities for the Lebanese on their lands, and within their private and public institutions. Without this sponsorship, Lebanon’s financial, economic and social situation would have been more severe and painful. On this rostrum, we must thank the Iraqi Republic for what it always offers to Lebanon. How we wish a quick return of all Arab brothers to Lebanon.
And he continued: «The Almighty said in His Holy Book: «We will strengthen you with your brother» (God the Great is true). So, brothers, strengthen Lebanon, which will remain under your auspices, and as you have entrusted it, uniting the Arabs.
-Mikati’s meeting with Al-Sisi and Al-Sudani
-Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati initiated a series of meetings and gatherings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the 32nd regular session of the Arab League Council meeting at the summit level.
In this context, Mikati held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in which the Lebanese delegation, which included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Abdullah Bou Habib, Minister of Industry George Boushikian, Minister of Tourism Walid Nassar, and Minister of Agriculture Abbas Hajj Hassan, participated.
On the Egyptian side, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and the head of the General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, participated.
During the meeting, President Al-Sisi affirmed his continued support for Lebanon and the process of its advancement, expressing his hope that a new president for Lebanon would be elected as soon as possible.
As for the Prime Minister, he expressed his appreciation for the continuous support provided by the Egyptian President to Lebanon in all fields, and the great love he has for the Lebanese people, and his constant haste to provide everything that would help Lebanon to solve its problems.
He also saluted Egypt’s efforts to heal the Arab rift, stop the Israeli aggression on Gaza, and address the conflict in Sudan.
After that, Mikati held a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’a al-Sudani, who expressed during the meeting his love for Lebanon and his consideration of it and Iraq as twins.
For his part, President Mikati indicated, “Iraq has always been an outstretched hand to Lebanon in light of the difficult circumstances the country is going through,” thanking the Iraqi state for what it provides to Lebanon on a permanent basis.
He stressed, “The recent Iraqi initiative with regard to supplying Lebanon with oil represents a basic support at this stage for all Lebanese and all productive sectors.”
He said: «We also thank Iraq for facilitating the arrival of transit trucks, through Iraqi territory, to the Gulf countries. A memorandum of understanding will be signed soon between Lebanon and Iraq.
