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.
