Lebanon: Aoun, Mikati Resume Government Formation Talks

A handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows (R to L) Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati meeting with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows (R to L) Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati meeting with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
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Lebanon: Aoun, Mikati Resume Government Formation Talks

A handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows (R to L) Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati meeting with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows (R to L) Lebanon's Prime Minister Najib Mikati meeting with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of the capital on August 17, 2022. (Photo by Lebanese Presidency / AFP)

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati has resumed talks with President Michel Aoun on forming a government following weeks of deadlock over disagreements with the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) and the presidency.

In a statement on Wednesday, Baabda Palace said that Aoun met with Mikati to discuss the formation of the new government.

Addressing reporters following the talks, the premier-designate said that the meeting focused on a cabinet lineup that he had presented to Aoun end of June, asserting that their viewpoints were “converging”.

Al-Jadeed channel reported that Mikati has informed the president of the details of the ministerial meeting held on Tuesday, and discussed with him several problems, including oil and electricity.

FPM MP Asaad Dergham said the lineup proposed by Mikati could see some minor amendments in order to form the government.

Separately, the head of the Lebanese Forces party, Samir Geagea, said that work was underway to unify efforts among opposition parties and the new parliament members.

Following a meeting with Sweden’s ambassador to Lebanon, Ann Dismorr, Geagea expressed his rejection to any presidential settlement with the Hezbollah-led coalition.

"The concerns and interests of Hezbollah contradict with the interests of Lebanon," he said.



Death Toll in Lebanon Crosses 3,000 in 13-Month Israel-Hezbollah War, Health Ministry Says

A building destroyed during an Israeli airstrike southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh, 03 November 2024. (EPA)
A building destroyed during an Israeli airstrike southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh, 03 November 2024. (EPA)
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Death Toll in Lebanon Crosses 3,000 in 13-Month Israel-Hezbollah War, Health Ministry Says

A building destroyed during an Israeli airstrike southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh, 03 November 2024. (EPA)
A building destroyed during an Israeli airstrike southern Lebanese town of Ghazieh, 03 November 2024. (EPA)

More than 3,000 people have been killed in Lebanon during 13 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday. At least 13,492 have been injured.

Hezbollah began firing rockets into northern Israel the day after Hamas’ surprise attack into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 ignited the war in Gaza. Hezbollah and Hamas are both allied with Iran.

The conflict dramatically escalated on Sept. 23 with intense Israeli airstrikes on south and east Lebanon as well as Beirut’s southern suburbs, leaving hundreds dead and leading to the displacement of nearly 1.2 million people.

Israel began a ground invasion of south Lebanon on Oct. 1, causing wide destruction in border villages but making little advances on the ground inside Lebanon.

In Israel, 72 people have been killed from Hezbollah attacks, including 30 soldiers.