Mikati: Lebanon Not Interested in Indulging Itself in Regional Furnace

Mikati stressed that Lebanon has no interest in indulging in the raging furnace which broke out in the region.

The Prime Minister called for unifying the efforts of all the Lebanese to secure stability. He also called upon them to be cooperating to give the cabinet the opportunity to perform its duties and lessen the social and living burdens that the Lebanese are suffering from.

Mikati's remarks came during an Iftar he held yesterday (Tuesday) in the Serail to honor dignitaries and civil society committees in Tripoli and the north.

Furthermore, Mikati said that the past experiences left a feeling of marginalizing and keeping away Tripoli and the north people from practicing their role in the state and rights in development and national partnership.

He added, "We affirm today, in front of you, that our project is to serve Tripoli and the north as well as the regions which need development without using that to fortify a personal or political position."

Mikati went on, "citizens in the north will see the seriousness of this situation which we believe in and work through it."

Mikati also said that all Lebanese, pro-government and opposition should realize the dangers that surround us and unify their efforts to keep them away from Lebanon.

Commenting on Lebanon's position at the Security Council, Mikati said that the Lebanese position allowed the draft statement to be issued without imposing on Lebanon indulgence in the axis policy.

Mikati praised Saudi King Abdallah Bin Abdel Aziz's position in which the latter called for ceasing bloodshed and violence and rushing into executing the needed reforms which would keep Syria away from facing more violence.

The Prime Minister said Lebanon had been in the past a scene for regional and international clashes and paid high price for that. He pointed out that it was the first time at which the other scenes witness such clashes, indicating that "Lebanon should stay away from those clashes and take the opportunity to fortify itself."

He confirmed that the Lebanese should currently rise up to the level of national responsibility to preserve their unity.

Mikati summed up by calling upon Tripoli and the north people to foil all conspiracies to allow the city, in specific, and the north, in general, to benefit from the calm atmosphere which stirs the economic situation.