Mikati: Gov’t Formed Without Pressures, It Isn’t to Face Int’l Community

Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared that "his government will face internal challenges, particularly at the living, economic and social levels" asserting that "this government is not about to face the Western or international community for Lebanon is part of this world and that it is committed to international resolutions, and there is no challenge or fear from the subject."

In an interview with Radio Sawa, Mikati said that "the international community will deal with the new Lebanese government based on its performance."
Mikati replied to those who say that the government's life is linked to the survival of the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in power by saying, "the ages are in God's hands, no one can say how long this government will live, and this government will stay if we can accomplish the ministerial statement and gain the parliamentary confidence," explaining that "In case of confidence withdrawing or presenting my resignation for any reason, the government's life will end."

Mikati continues in the same context "I have not seen an article in the Constitution that says that the government is related to a certain system or someone," stressing that he is Lebanese and doesn't follow anything but the Lebanese constitution and that he belongs only to his country and to the people in this country which is today in dire need to the minimum improve n the living situation."
"It is difficult to take any unilateral decision within the government, because the third guarantor is there, and he cannot pass any resolution that would form a problem inside or outside Lebanon."

In response to claims that the "new government was formed as an appeasement to the Syrian president," Mikati said, "Of course the words and tests come from every direction, and this is part of the opposition. However, the Lebanese always throw the responsibility on the outside. Sometimes when we say that we want this type of government, they say it is American pressure, and when we say that we're late in the formation of the government, they say that this is a brotherly Arab country pressure and when we rush to form a government, they say this is a Syrian pressure. I frankly say that I formed the government without any pressure."

Furthermore, Mikati attributed to the formation of the Lebanese government at this time to the administrative status, "which became very dangerous," explaining that "he formed it according to the principle of responsibility he believes in, which is taking care of the Council of Ministers institution by saying enough to the collapse of the administrative system in Lebanon."
Mikati wondered "How can this institution be left vacant for five months, and we wonder why this closure in the Lebanese administration is taking place?"