Miqati Stresses ‘Teamwork’ Necessary to Safeguard Lebanon’s Interests

Prime Minister Najib Miqati reiterated on Saturday that the cabinet crisis requires the efficiency of its members in order to be solved.

“Keep the faith… and let’s all work together for the national interest of our country,” Miqati said on twitter.

He stressed on the productivity, teamwork, and the ability to accomplish achievements by his cabinet members before holding anyone accountable.

A decree on the transportation and education allowances that Labor Minister Charbel Nahhas, who is part of Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun’s bloc, is refusing to sign is at the center of the cabinet's deadlock.

The premier and the ministers of Aoun’s Change and Reform Parliamentary bloc have bickered over Miqati’s decision to appoint top civil servants in state posts reserved for Christians without consulting them.

Their dispute worsened last week after Miqati said ministers who don’t want to abide by the cabinet’s decision should resign. But Aoun slammed the premier, saying he should quit.

Asked by one twitter user if there will be any settlements or compromises to resolve the cabinet crisis, Miqati stated that it can happen “within the framework of the constitution and the best interest of the country…”

“Wait and see,” he said.

On the environmental crisis in Beirut River, which turned blood red, Miqati noted that Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury and his ministry are “on top of it.”

On Thursday, Beirut River mysteriously turned red as Internal Security Forces are carrying out an investigation into the incident.

He said in remarks that the cabinet had taken “several other environmental decisions recently.”

Concerning his recent visit to Paris where he met with top French officials, Miqati said that “the French officials were very supportive regarding Lebanon’s stances on most of the issues.”