Mikati hopes Lebanon won't reach 'lunatic asylum' stage

Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati on Wednesday used the title of the famous ‘Aal Asfouriyeh’ song by late Lebanese singer Sabah to hope that Lebanon will not reach the “lunatic asylum” stage.

Mikati voiced his remarks at the launch of the touristic Lebanon Summer Campaign at the Rafik Hariri International Airport.

“Mr. Minister, you have chosen slogans for the campaign from Lebanese songs. The first was titled ‘Bhebbak Ya Libnan’ (I Love You Lebanon) by Fairuz and today you are choosing ‘Ahla Bhal Talleh Ahla’ (roughly translates to Welcome to Lebanon),” Mikati said, addressing caretaker Tourism Minister Walid Nassar.

“I call on all of you to pray with me that we don’t reach the ‘Aal Asfouriyeh’ (To the Lunatic Asylum) song if we keep choosing songs as slogans,” the PM-designate added sarcastically.

Mikati was tasked with forming a new government on June 23 but has so far failed to do so due to thorny disagreements with President Michel Aoun.