Miqati Reveals Initiative to Aid Areas Hit by Port Blast, Urges 'Proper' Judicial Conduct

Prime Minister Najib Miqati visited Wednesday the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Beirut and discussed with Metropolitan Elias Aude the repercussions of the Beirut port blast and the country’s economic hardship.

“We discussed the living, educational and health conditions of the Lebanese,” Miqati said after meeting Aude.

He added that a proper and fair judiciary is the only resort to reach a result regarding the port blast, and said he supports Bitar, when asked by a journalist if he supports Judge Tarek Bitar to lead the port blast investigations.

“We don’t interfere with the judiciary,” he added.

Miqati briefed Aude about launching an initiative tomorrow, Thursday, from the Grand serail.

The B5 initiative in collaboration with the World Bank and the European union aims to aid the commercial enterprises that have been damaged by the explosion.

“Beirut will re-enter the business arena,” Miqati said.