The Cabinet convened, today at the Presidential Palace, in a session headed by President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun and attended by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and ministers.
In the session, the Cabinet approved the proposal of the Energy Minister to grant licenses to build electricity production plants on solar energy, and a draft decree aimed at renewing expired passports for participation in the parliamentary elections only, in addition to the loan agreement with the World Bank to implement the emergency response project to secure wheat supplies at a value of 150 million US Dollars.
At the beginning, the President said that Lebanon is two days away from the parliamentary elections at home, after the elections are completed in the countries of expansion. After the term of the current parliament expires, the Cabinet becomes caretaker, which requires speeding up the completion of a number of outstanding and necessary issues during today’s session, and the last session next week.
President Aoun called for the approval of many necessary projects, to be implemented by the Cabinet that will be formed after the elections.
Moreover, the President spoke about the investigation of the Beirut Port, and pointed out that the stalemate in this investigation unjustly caused a number of detainees whose conditions cannot be decided, and some of them may be innocent. Accordingly, the investigation must be completed quickly and the necessary measures taken.
For his side, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said: “First of all, I congratulate the Foreign Affairs Minister for his follow-up with the Interior Minister regarding the elections for the Lebanese in diaspora. This process occurred as it should without any impurities, even though it was complex and required a great effort.
“The number of voters was relatively large compared to the number of those who registered to vote, but we had hoped that the number of people who registered to vote would have been greater. Three days till the general elections at Lebanon, we hope that it will also take place in the fullest manner, with integrity, transparency and freedom. On this occasion, I reiterate the call for everyone to participate in the polls and to carry out the patriotic duty, because it is not possible to return to criticism if we failed to play our role as voters” Premier Mikati added.
The session was preceded by a meeting between the President and Prime Minister, during which topics on the agenda were discussed.
Source: NNA
