عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Mikati Raises Ceiling on His Positions to Resolve Crisis with Gulf States

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri holding talks. (Lebanese Parliament)
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri holding talks. (Lebanese Parliament)
TT
20
TT

Mikati Raises Ceiling on His Positions to Resolve Crisis with Gulf States

Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri holding talks. (Lebanese Parliament)
Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri holding talks. (Lebanese Parliament)

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati threw the ball into the court of “Hezbollah” and the “Marada Movement” by raising the ceiling on his positions and renewing the call for the resignation of Information Minister George Kordahi.

Mikati reaffirmed his determination to deal with the issue of relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Gulf states according to sound rules.

“Whoever thinks that disruption is the solution is wrong,” stressed the premier while pointing out to unruly elitism the government was exposed to from within.

Mikati also voiced his rejection of ministers intervening in the work of the country’s justice system.

Beirut-based TV station al-Mayadeen quoted Kordahi as saying that he will neither resign nor go back on his controversial position. This has opened the possibility of dismissing Kordahi to discussion.

On Thursday, intensified meetings were held among Lebanese officials to try and find a solution for the crisis with Gulf states.

Mikati, for his part, met with both President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Also, Berri met with Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib.

“I placed His Excellency (Aoun) in the atmosphere that surrounded my visit to Glasgow and my meetings with various international bodies. I discussed with him ways to get out of the current crisis with Saudi Arabia and Gulf states, and we agreed on a road map,” said Mikati after meeting with the president.

Sources familiar with the meetings told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the options are now known, and they include either Kordahi’s resignation or dismissal.

“There will be no cabinet session before this matter is resolved,” the same sources noted.

“When we formed this government after months of disruption, delay, and missed opportunities, we announced that we are on a quick rescue mission to advance cooperation with international bodies and the International Monetary Fund, in addition to holding parliamentary elections,” said Mikati.

“We believed that the painful reality that our country is experiencing would push everyone to let go of personal interests and actively participate in the rescue mission, but this, unfortunately, did not happen,” he added.

Most Viewed

 
Arab World

Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
TT
20
TT

Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.