Mikati: Expulsion of Syrian Ambassador Not on Table, Gov’t to Stay until Next Elections
Local Editor
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati refused Monday to be dragged behind the exaggerations of some internal forces demanding unrealistic actions against Syria.
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese newspaper, Mikati stressed that "the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali from Lebanon is not on the table."
In parallel, he confirmed that he made up his mind and that he turned the whole page of thinking to resign, which he used to consider from time to time. "I will remain at the Grand Serail as I no longer think of resignation."
The Prime Minister further advised those "who seek to rush his departure not to waste their time by waiting."
"I'm staying in my position, and will not resign...Therefore, the government will continue until the next parliamentary elections," he said.
However, Mikati noted that "the government will reign only if there were an extraordinary development, such as the government's components agreed on resignation of the current government, and the formation of another based on prior understandings."
He also urged the Lebanese people not to believe the campaigns against his government. "Those launching campaigns against the government and call for its resignation are not working in the country's interest. Instead they only seek to remove us and occupy our seats."
"Our government has seven lives," he highlighted and predicted that "the governing body of the petroleum sector will be appointed soon, and electricity generating ships will arrive before the end of the year."
On the plan of arming the Lebanese military, Mikati expressed concern at this level.
"It is time for people from overseas to stop practicing double discourse, as they on one hand call for only one legitimate Lebanese state weapon to protect the borders and sovereignty, and do nothing on the other hand to strengthen the army and provide it with the sophisticated weapons it needs," he confirmed.
Regarding the situation at the Lebanese-Syrian borders, Mikati emphasized that "the government should refer to the Syrian violations along the Northern Lebanese borders to preserve stability."
"To object such breaches make our position stronger," the premier said and noted that "such objections come with certainty that there is a difference between the "Israeli" enemy and the brotherly Syrian people."
On the issue of former Minister Michel Samaha's arrest, Mikati mentioned that "this case is in its legal and judicial course."
"I was keen that the Acting Public Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud visits Samaha at the headquarters of Information Branch after his arrest, to check the safety of the circumstances surrounding the arrest and investigation," he concluded
Source: as-Safir, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati refused Monday to be dragged behind the exaggerations of some internal forces demanding unrealistic actions against Syria.
In an interview with "as-Safir" Lebanese newspaper, Mikati stressed that "the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador Ali Abdul Karim Ali from Lebanon is not on the table."
In parallel, he confirmed that he made up his mind and that he turned the whole page of thinking to resign, which he used to consider from time to time. "I will remain at the Grand Serail as I no longer think of resignation."
The Prime Minister further advised those "who seek to rush his departure not to waste their time by waiting."
"I'm staying in my position, and will not resign...Therefore, the government will continue until the next parliamentary elections," he said.However, Mikati noted that "the government will reign only if there were an extraordinary development, such as the government's components agreed on resignation of the current government, and the formation of another based on prior understandings."
He also urged the Lebanese people not to believe the campaigns against his government. "Those launching campaigns against the government and call for its resignation are not working in the country's interest. Instead they only seek to remove us and occupy our seats."
"Our government has seven lives," he highlighted and predicted that "the governing body of the petroleum sector will be appointed soon, and electricity generating ships will arrive before the end of the year."
On the plan of arming the Lebanese military, Mikati expressed concern at this level.
"It is time for people from overseas to stop practicing double discourse, as they on one hand call for only one legitimate Lebanese state weapon to protect the borders and sovereignty, and do nothing on the other hand to strengthen the army and provide it with the sophisticated weapons it needs," he confirmed.
Regarding the situation at the Lebanese-Syrian borders, Mikati emphasized that "the government should refer to the Syrian violations along the Northern Lebanese borders to preserve stability."
"To object such breaches make our position stronger," the premier said and noted that "such objections come with certainty that there is a difference between the "Israeli" enemy and the brotherly Syrian people."
On the issue of former Minister Michel Samaha's arrest, Mikati mentioned that "this case is in its legal and judicial course."
"I was keen that the Acting Public Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud visits Samaha at the headquarters of Information Branch after his arrest, to check the safety of the circumstances surrounding the arrest and investigation," he concluded
Source: as-Safir, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org
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