Prime Minister Najib Mikati said today that “the convening of a cabinet session depends on the completion of the discussion on adjusting public sector wages and possible benefits.” Speaking before his visitors this morning, Mikati stated that ‘the ministerial committee charged with addressing the repercussions of the financial crisis on the functioning of public utilities continues its meetings to carefully study the possible proposals and align them with the proposals submitted by the Ministry of Finance, on the basis of securing the required balance and not falling once again into the spiral of inflation and increasing the deficit to cover the cost of salaries, and this matter is also among the terms of the initial understanding with the International Monetary Fund.” In response to a question, Mikati said: “The issue of retirees is also being studied away from the threat and populist pressures that some rely on, to help support this segment of people who provided basic services in all sectors, especially in the military and security services.” He added that he explained this matter to the delegation of retired military personnel who visited him at the Grand Serail, noting that certain sums were allocated for retirees some time ago, stressing on the importance of allocating the necessary sums to the state employees’ cooperative and the medical fund for the military. Situation in South Lebanon Responding to a quesiton regarding the firing of rockets from the south and the Israeli shelling of Lebanese villages, and the talk about the government’s absence and incapability in this regard, the Prime Minister said: ‘Everything that is said in this context falls within the framework of free media campaigns, particularly since from the first moment the events began in the south, we made the necessary contacts with all the concerned sides and with the international influencers, away from the limelight, because these issues are not dealt with by media clamor or statements…” He added: “I also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to move on a parallel line and conduct the appropriate contacts, and when the required treatment was done, we made the precise and clear position. During the crisis, I was holding a meeting with the Italian Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, and asked him to put pressure on Israel to stop any operations that would lead to more tension in the south. We also stressed that Lebanon absolutely rejects any military escalation from its land and the use of Lebanese territory to carry out operations that destabilize the existing tranquility.” Mikati continued, “It was revealed from the initial investigations conducted by the army that those who fired the rockets were not organized parties, but rather non-Lebanese elements, and that it was a reaction to the Israeli aggression on the Palestinian territories and the Gaza Strip.” He added, “On the other hand, the continuous Israeli aggression against Lebanon and the persistent violation of Lebanese sovereignty is unacceptable, and we submitted a new complaint in this regard to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and to the UN Security Council…Also, the Israeli attack on worshipers in Al-Aqsa Mosque and its violation of sanctity is unacceptable and constitutes a breach of all laws and customs, and requires a comprehensive Arab and international stance to stop this blatant aggression.” Government’s work Asked about the campaigns targetting him personally and impacting the government’s work, PM Mikati said: ‘It became clear from the first day the government assumed its responsibilities following the presidential vacuum that there is a political team that does not want this government to operate, and acts on the basis of reaching a complete suspension of the cabinet after the disruption in the parliament’s work, to bring the country to a total collapse…This team is acting on the basis of belated revenge for the Taif Agreement and is working to undermine it by all means; but the strangest thing is that this same team turns the facts around and accuses the government of not paying attention to the remarks and warnings of the International Monetary Fund, while the same team contributes to blocking the projects that the government sent to Parliament.” “In any case, the government will continue its work in accordance with its national convictions and constitutional obligations, and is not about to replace anyone or confiscate anyone’s powers, whereby the objectors must stop obstructing the process of electing a new president and carry out their constitutional duties first and foremost,” he underlined. Mikati concluded by congratulating all Christians on the holy occasions of Palm Sunday and the glorious Easter, praying for the Lord Almighty’s blessings of health and wellness to the Lebanese and hoping for Lebanon’s lasting peace and stability.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon