Miqati: Ministerial Statement Committee on Wednesday, I am Open to Deal with Areslan’s Resignation

Expressing his satisfaction with the form and quality of the government, Prime Minister Najib Miqati stressed that "we have closed a phase and moved into a new phase of work," adding that "the challenge that the members of the government, who are accomplished and experienced at the individual and personal level, to a smoothly and productively working team especially that the tasks ahead of us are very large."

"The management is empty, the economy is expecting a push forward, expatriates were reluctant to visit Lebanon, there are laws and decrees waiting signatures, and there are a lot of living and social issues to work on." Miqati told "assafir" news paper.

Miqati pointed out that the settlement after long difficulties was the House Speaker Nabih Berri's game. "He asked for Faisal Karami, and I wanted MP Ahmad Karami as a minister. Agreeing that Beirut could not be represented with one minister, I had decided to give Beirut two ministers having bags," informing that "Berri welcomed to consider Faisal Karami out of his share. Thus, the number of Sunni ministers becomes seven compared to five Shiites."

"Although I refused, fearing to break the Lebanese political tradition and to establish a precedent that could cause objections or problems, Berri insisted and the problem came to an end," Miqati continued explaining that "there was also a significant role for the President in responding and facilitating the formation, especially that I have told him before the accession of Berri: I will not get out of the palace unless the government is formed."

Answering the doubts that the president's advisor minister Nazem Khoury might cause a problem or objection by General Michel Aoun, PM Miqati said: "I do not think that there is an objection from any party, all the things are agreed upon."
Miqati commented on the head of the "Mountain Block" Talal Areslan's resignation from the government "I did not listen directly to the Minister Areslan, but I have been informed with the contents. I think that it is against the political norms of Areslan's great traditional house to say these personal slanders, and I do not allow saying untrue words on my tongue regarding the respected Druze sect and community which I have always respected and appreciated."

Saying that he is open to deal with the Areslan's resignation and the designation of any person he wants, Miqati assured that he has no objection on MP Fadi al-aowar, telling the NTV channel that there are assets to offer the resignation and that it must be written.
Miqati revealed that the ministerial committee for the formation of the ministerial statement will be formed on Wednesday morning and that it will meet in the afternoon to put the statement's outline. "It is true that my words, in the presidential palace after the formation of the government, serve as a nucleus for a ministerial statement and I might put few titles that came in my speech in the ministerial statement." He said.

Miqati stressed that he would be for all of Lebanon and announced that his first visit will be to the South to visit the International Forces and the Lebanese Army present on the border. "We wanted from this government and its formation in the present time to send a signal to all Arab brothers that Lebanon is a secure country and the presence of a government is a sign of stability and security. You are welcome and we want Lebanon to be the Arab's bride in this summer."