We do not accept that our atmosphere be violated… and that laws be applied to the displaced

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati affirmed, in his speech at the beginning of the consultative meeting he held with a number of ministers in the government palace, that “our goal is to face together all the challenges.” We are living through old crises, which we inherit and do not ignore, security and economically, and every day a crisis arises. We work to solve it responsibly and realistically, in agreement with all officials and authorities.”

Mikati said: “I wanted this meeting to be an opportunity to discuss the security situation in general and in the south in particular, and the file of the displaced and the food supply situation in the country. We meet to consult and think together about the precise situation, both security and nationally, and to discuss the steps that must be taken to strengthen social stability, and for Lebanon to have a unified position before the international community on the issue of displaced Syrians and the impact of this on the Lebanese reality in all its aspects, economic, social, security and sovereign.”

He stressed “the necessity of accelerating the election of a president of the republic, completing the contract of institutions, and the necessity of getting out of the impasse of vacancy, which reflects on all components of the state and national stability.” We in the government bear our national and societal responsibilities, and this is what I said to His Beatitude Patriarch Al-Rahi. We do not practice political luxury, and we have no passion for power.”

He added: “The country witnessed security incidents this week, the fragmentation of which would have widened had it not been for the efforts of the army and security forces, the seriousness of the investigations, the wisdom of the leaders and authorities, and the calls for reason, deliberation, and resorting together to conscience, which is the only way to overcome crises.” Here, we do not deny the position of the media, its awareness-raising work, and its endeavor to investigate the truth. We also call on university students to be at the level of responsibility and appreciate the current national situation.”

He pointed out that “with the proliferation of crimes committed by some displaced Syrians, this situation must be dealt with firmly by the security services, and urgent measures must be taken to prevent any criminal act from occurring and to prevent any fundamentally unacceptable actions with our legally present and forcibly displaced Syrian brothers.” We ask His Excellency the Minister of the Interior to be strict in applying Lebanese laws to all displaced people and to be strict with cases that violate these laws.”

He considered that “what is happening must not make us forget what is happening in the south in terms of Israeli aggression, martyrs, wounded, destruction, devastation, and burning of lands.”

He continued: “Although we have repeatedly emphasized that we are not warmongers, the Israeli attacks cannot be tolerated, and we do not accept that our airspace is violated. We place these attacks on the international community, and we always submit complaints to the Security Council in this regard. “Israel is dragging the region into war, and the international community must pay attention to this matter and put an end to this war.”

Mikati revealed, “Through the communications we make, it becomes clear to us how many friends the country has in the world who defend it and are making every effort to pressure Israel to stop its aggression and prevent the escalation of the confrontations.”