Mikati: Lebanon's friends pressing Israel to halt its aggression

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Thursday stressed that Lebanon is seeking “real peace” and “the peace of humanitarian justice.”

“We raise our voice to the international community, condemning the (Israeli) attacks and demanding that the enemy be deterred, war be stopped and peace be brought,” Mikati said at the beginning of a Cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

“I would like to emphasize through Cabinet that Lebanon has friends in all world countries who are honestly working to press the Israeli enemy to halt its aggression against Lebanon,” Mikati added.

Separately, the premier said there are “signs of a diplomatic crisis with Cyprus.”

“Some Cypriot newspapers have attacked Lebanon over the file of the refugees who are reaching Cyprus illegally through Lebanon’s territorial waters,” Mikati said.

“I have conducted the necessary contacts with the Cypriot authorities, underscoring keenness on the best relations with Cyprus and that we don’t accept to export the refugee crisis to it,” he added.

As for the banking sector file, Mikati denied that the file of restructuring the country’s banks has been shelved, describing reports in this regard as baseless.

“The file is being calmly studied, and when its elements get completed, we will call for a ministerial meeting before raising the issue in Cabinet according to a clear organizational vision endorsed by everyone,” Mikati said.