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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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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
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Al-Sharaa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Revolution Ended with Regime’s Fall, Will Not Be Exported

Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday
Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the interview with Bissane El-Cheikh in Damascus on Thursday

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, told Asharq Al-Awsat that “the Syrian revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere.”

He stressed that Syria “will not be used to attack or destabilize any Arab or Gulf country.”

Speaking from the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Thursday, Al-Sharaa said the Syrian opposition’s actions had “set the Iranian project in the region back by 40 years.”

Asked why Syria has yet to send a direct message to the Gulf and major Arab nations, Al-Sharaa responded by saying that his country has much to say to its Arab neighbors.

“Syria had become a platform for Iran to control key Arab capitals, spread wars, and destabilize the Gulf with drugs like Captagon,” he said.

He added: “By removing Iranian militias and closing Syria to Iranian influence, we’ve served the region’s interests—achieving what diplomacy and external pressure could not, with minimal losses.”

Al-Sharaa also criticized efforts to restore ties with the former Syrian regime, including its return to the Arab League in exchange for concessions.

“We were confident this would fail because we knew the regime would not make any genuine concessions or approach these overtures in good faith,” he said.

He claimed that during a meeting with Jordanian officials, the former regime was asked why it insisted on exporting Captagon to Jordan.

“The response was that it would not stop unless sanctions were lifted," Al-Sharaa said, adding “this is not how the regime operates.”

He emphasized that Gulf strategic security has since improved. “Today, the Iranian project in the region has been pushed back 40 years, making the Gulf more secure and stable.”

When asked if he would give reassurances on Syria not becoming a refuge for certain figures, Al-Sharaa dismissed concerns about hosting figures who cause concern for some Arab nations, saying Syria will not become a haven for controversial individuals.

“We are now focused on state-building. The revolution ended with the regime's fall, and we will not allow it to spread elsewhere. Syria will not be a platform to threaten or unsettle any Arab or Gulf country,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stressed that Syria seeks to rebuild and strengthen ties with Arab nations. “Syria is tired of wars and being used for others’ agendas. We want to restore trust and rebuild our country as part of the Arab world.”

He praised the Gulf’s progress, saying: “We admire the development in Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia’s bold plans and vision, and we aspire to achieve similar progress for Syria.”

He added: “There are many opportunities for cooperation, especially in economic and developmental areas, where we can align our goals.”

On Syria’s relationship with its neighbor Lebanon, Al-Sharaa acknowledged concerns raised by Lebanese counterparts about him reaching Damascus, fearing it could strengthen one faction over another in Lebanon.

“We are not seeking any form of dominance over Lebanon,” he said. “We want a relationship based on mutual respect and exchange, without interfering in Lebanon’s internal affairs. We have enough work to do in our own country.”

Al-Sharaa emphasized Syria’s intention to maintain balanced relations, saying he aims “to stand equally with all Lebanese groups, and what pleases them, pleases us.”

Al-Sharaa was asked about a national dialogue conference and a new constitution to guide Syria’s future, and the mechanism that he plans to ensure inclusivity for all Syrians in the process, especially among the base of supporters and fighters who do not necessarily agree with his current moderate speech.

Al-Sharaa acknowledged differing opinions but emphasized he does not want to impose his personal views on Syrians.

“I believe in letting legal experts shape the relationship between citizens, with the law as the guide,” he said.

“Syria is diverse, and it's natural for there to be different opinions. This difference is healthy.”

Al-Sharaa stressed that the recent victory is for all Syrians, not one group over another.

“Even those we thought were loyal to the old regime expressed joy, as they had not been able to openly express their feelings before,” he noted.

He expressed confidence that Syrians, regardless of their background, are aware enough to protect their country.

“My aim is to reach a broad agreement and build a country where the rule of law helps resolve our differences,” Al-Sharaa concluded.

On the complex issue of forced disappearances and individuals missing in prisons and mass graves, Al-Sharaa said the previous regime was a criminal gang, not a political system.

“We fought a brutal group that committed crimes like arrests, forced disappearances, killings, displacement, starvation, chemical attacks, and torture,” he said.

He stressed that while the regime is gone, the focus should be on justice, not revenge.

“We must not approach this with a desire for vengeance,” he said.

Al-Sharaa stated that those responsible for crimes like the Saydnaya prison and chemical attacks must be held accountable.

“Their names are known and they must be pursued,” he said. He also affirmed that families have the right to file complaints against unknown perpetrators.

Al-Sharaa outlined efforts to address the issue of missing persons. “We’ve broken the barriers, and specialized organizations are now helping with this task,” he said.

A new ministry will be set up to track the fate of the missing, both the deceased and the living.

“This will also assist families with documents like death certificates and inheritance,” he added.

He acknowledged the challenge ahead but emphasized the need to uncover the truth. “This is a big task, but we must find the truth,” Al-Sharaa said.

When asked about hosting the interview at the People’s Palace, the same location where Bashar al-Assad once sat, Al-Sharaa responded with a light-hearted laugh.

“To be honest, I don’t feel comfortable at all,” he said. “But this is a place that should be open to the people, a site where they can visit and where children can play in these courtyards.”