Mikati accuses Christians of obstructing reforms, says Berri's dialogue 'best solution'
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has accused Christian forces of obstructing the implementation of reforms demanded by the international community and the International Monetary Fund.
In an interview published Wednesday in Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Mikati said that Christian political forces are boycotting legislative sessions and do not want Parliament to convene to pass the required reforms before a president is elected, while Hezbollah is "cooperating" and supports the majority of the required reforms.
Mikati also expressed support for the Speaker's seven-day dialogue initiative. He said that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri's initiative is the "best solution" and hoped that the five-nation group on Lebanon would also call for dialogue in order to end the presidential void.
The five-nation committee had convened Tuesday at the U.N. headquarters in New York but failed to issue any statement after the meeting, because of "disagreements between the U.S. and France."
20 September 2023, 15:50
04
As a Sunni, I find PM Miqati's choice of language in referring to 'Christian Forces' in the 21st century deeply offensive and concerning. Such terminology is not only derogatory but also unsettling. It can have far-reaching repercussions, such as exacerbating religious tensions and divisions within our society. IMHO he's directly increasing polarization and discord, which ultimately hinders our collective progress and peaceful coexistence which is the opposite of what claims to be doing.
20 September 2023, 18:41
03
Mikati is asking for a band-aid solution at a time Lebanon needs ER and is profusely bleeding. Unless Hizb arms and hegemony over state institutions are dealt with, all is in vain. Worse, Mikati plan insures we get deeper in the mud, accept the status quo of an occupation army, insures political mafia grip on the country, while the Country bleeding getting worse. Sadly, there couldn't be any more useless and harmful politician than Mikati at this critical time for our nation.
