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Lebanon: Mikati Says Parties Rejecting Cabinet Meetings Better Elect a President

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanon: Mikati Says Parties Rejecting Cabinet Meetings Better Elect a President

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati hailed the latest development in the Saudi-Iranian relations, stressing that Lebanon supports any "consensual" course in the region mainly that Saudi Arabia is a party to it.

The Prime Minister also defended Lebanon's cabinet meetings amid the vacuum at the top state post, and amid accusations questioning its constitutionality.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday, Mikati said that the latest developments pose an “opportunity to breathe in the region and look forward,” noting that the new turn in the Saudi-Iran ties will reflect positively in the region.

Although Mikati does not consider that the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement would affect Lebanon’s problematic file of electing a president, he acknowledges a “political realism” that less tension abroad brings appeasement in Lebanon.

Supporting the remarks of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan regarding the election of a new head of state, Mikati told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The Lebanese must not look abroad for solutions, we must carry out our duties in electing a president, building institutions, and embarking on solving our many and major problems.”

“The crisis in Lebanon has been accumulating over many years…Implementing the required reforms must be expedited before the crisis escalates further and reaches the point of no return,” he warned.

On the reforms that Lebanon has to enact in order to unlock billions of dollars in loans from the International Monetary Fund, he said: “Because we were aware of the seriousness of the situation, we rushed to take measures to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund, being the main step available to us and to motivate countries to support Lebanon.

“We signed the initial agreement with the IMF, and we are still seeking, in cooperation with the Parliament, to pass the required reform laws in preparation for signing the final agreement,” he added.

Lebanon has yet to enact most of the reforms needed to access billions of dollars in loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help itself out of its economic crisis.

The PM said that the government is looking for immediate and essential solutions to stop the collapse and ensure the continuity of the work of the state and institutions, “but these measures are not the final solution,” said Mikati. He stressed the need to expedite the election of a new president that paves way for a solution and recovery.

Lebanon has no choice but to carry out the required reforms and cooperate with the International Monetary Fund, in order to garner international support, “this is what I noticed during all my meetings abroad. There will be no aid for Lebanon before reforms are implemented”.

Regarding rejections of the Free Patriotic Movement -headed by Jebran Bassil the son-in-law of former president Michel Aoun- which argues that the government meetings are unconstitutional, Mikati affirmed that the government will continue to hold its sessions amid a presidential vacuum in order to run the important matters in the country.

During its meetings, "the government addresses urgent matters and priority files because they affect people's health, livelihood and rights. As for the objectors, they are required to seek the election of a president as soon as possible, and then all this controversy will cease.”

Voicing hope that the vacuum at the top state post ends, he urged all political components in Lebanon to agree on a new president as soon as possible “because the country will continue to suffer from a basic structural defect without a president.”

On some calls encouraging a change to Lebanon’s system including the calls for federalism, Mikati said that any development of the system requires appropriate political conditions which Lebanon lacks at the moment.

“Adherence to the Taef Accord and work to implement it in its entirety without any partiality is needed at present. Until further notice, this agreement will remain the best framework for Lebanon,” he stressed.

“Any development or modernization of the system requires appropriate political conditions. I do not believe that the current political crisis and the difficult economic and financial conditions constitute a suitable atmosphere for discussing the amendment of the system,” he concluded.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.