'Forget my address', Slim tells Mikati

A statement issued by caretaker PM Najib Mikati’s office has strained the relation anew between the premier and caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim, after the two men held a supposedly positive reconciliation meeting on Thursday.

“There is nothing personal between me and caretaker PM Najib Mikati and the meeting yesterday took place at his desire. This is what my friend, caretaker Culture Minister Mohammad Wissam al-Murtada, told me when he visited me on Wednesday, carrying to me the PM’s desire to meet with me,” Slim told al-Joumhouria newspaper.

“Murtada asked me whether I was willing to meet the invitation and I told him that I am a defense minister in a government led by Mikati and that I certainly did not mind that, and this is what happened. I headed to the Grand Serail and he met me with a handshake and kisses as usual. I explained to him my viewpoint on everything that has happened and the mistake in the memo that he had sent to me,” Slim said.

Denying that he “apologized” to Mikati as mentioned in the premiership’s statement, Slim clarified that he “voiced regret” over the manner in which he was “dealt with” and that he did not apologize because he is “not guilty.”

The minister also revealed that he reached an agreement with Mikati, who asked him to “suggest candidates for three military posts, including the chief of staff,” prior to January 15, although Slim is “not convinced of these appointments after the extension of the army chief’s term.”

“I left the meeting based on this, but after the issuance of the statement of the PM’s press office, I called his adviser and told them that it is shameful to say that Murtada ‘took me with him’ as if I’m a little kid and that I did not apologize. I also told him to tell Mikati that he has torpedoed the agreement and that he should ‘forget my address,’” Slim added.

The minister had described the meeting as being “full of brotherhood, honesty, cordiality and mutual respect.”

Tensions had surged between Mikati and Slim due to disputes over military appointments, including the extension of the term of Army chief Joseph Aoun, which ultimately took place last week. A new army chief of staff and two members of the military council are yet to be appointed.

Mikati had in recent days sent a new memo to Slim, asking him to submit proposals for filling the vacant military posts. Slim responded by saying that he was awaiting the result of the appeal filed by the FPM against the law that extended Aoun’s term.

In the beginning of Tuesday’s Cabinet session, Mikati informed ministers of the memo that he had sent to Slim two days earlier.

“After Mikati recited the memo that he sent to Defense Minister Maurice Slim, one of the ministers suggested that direct contact take place between Mikati and Minister Slim,” al-Liwaa said.

“Mikati responded that the premiership cannot be insulted,” the daily added.

“The moment Maurice Slim came to the Grand Serail and started shouting, I considered that he was finished to me and that from that moment dealing with him would become formal and through memos,” al-Liwaa newspaper quoted Mikati as telling ministers.