Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil has advised PM-designate Najib Miqati not to be the “fifth victim” of ex-PM Saad Hariri.

Op-ed by British Ambassador to Lebanon Ian Collard

“The main hope of a nation”, said the Dutch scholar Erasmus, “lies in the proper education of its youth”. For Lebanon, this has never felt more true. The country’s best times have been founded on a strong investment in its education sector – creating Lebanese thinkers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who were able not just to shape their nation positively but whose ambitions spread into the region and indeed beyond. Sadly, one of the greatest risks to Lebanon now, as it deals with one of the most challenging periods in its history, is what is happening to the education of its children.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Wednesday held talks with President Michel Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda.

“I submitted to President Aoun my suggestions regarding the cabinet line-up and I sensed acceptance from his side,” Miqati said after the meeting.

Ex-PM Saad Hariri on Wednesday said he “regrets” the settlement that made Michel Aoun president, adding that he “never expected him to have such a personality.”

“But I made the settlement to halt the collapse and strife,” Hariri added, in an interview with SkyNews Arabia.

The Premiership on Wednesday issued an administrative memorandum declaring national mourning on the anniversary of the Beirut Port blast, which will be marked on August 4.

The PM Press Office's memo stated that “public administrations, public institutions and municipalities will be closed on Wednesday, August 4, 2021, in commemoration of the tragic anniversary of the Beirut Port blast."

Lebanon's trap shooter Ray Bassil ranked 23rd on the first day of the Olympic Shooting Competition on Wednesday — Women’s Trap Qualification — hosted by the Japanese capital Tokyo.

Bassil earned 67 points, eight points ahead of the Slovak champion, Zuzana Rehak Stefecekova.

The Free Patriotic Movement's central media committee issued a statement on Wednesday as a reply to an article published by Nidaa al-Watan newspaper, denying “claims” that FPM leader Jebran Bassil had asked PM-designate Najib Miqati for the Interior portfolio.

The newspaper had published in its headline that "two main obstacles are standing in the way of government formation” and that “it will be impossible to overcome these obstacles, if Bassil continues to demand the Ministry of Interior and the blocking third."

The Army Command tweeted on Wednesday that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi received Army Commander General Joseph Aoun and praised the role of the Lebanese Army “at this delicate stage.”

Al-Sissi stressed on the army’s efforts “to provide security and stability” for Lebanon.

The Consultative Group of the Reform, Recovery and Reconstruction Framework (3RF) held its second meeting on Tuesday.

The 3RF Consultative Group consists of the Government of Lebanon, Lebanese civil society, the European Union, United Nations, the World Bank and international donors. Together they monitor progress and give strategic direction to the reforms and activities under the 3RF.

Prime Minister-designate Najib Miqati on Tuesday met with President Michel Aoun in Baabda to brief him on the outcome of his nonbinding consultations with the parliamentary blocs regarding the new government.

"The opinions were largely identical and, God willing, we will hold successive meetings in the next two days," Miqati said after meeting Aoun.