Mikati: Dissociation policy protected Lebanon from crisis spillover

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned against the dangers Lebanon may face in the upcoming period in light of the events taking place in Syria, voicing on the other hand optimism concerning the issues of the cabinet's formation and the new electoral law.            

“A government will definitely be formed,” Mikati told a group of journalists, during a meeting at the Grand Serail.              

Mikati also pointed out that the impasse over a new electoral law will be solved during a parliamentary session on May 15.           

In this context, Mikati advised Prime Minister-Designate Tammam Salam to adopt a “realistic approach” regarding the process of the cabinet's formation, adding that his successor will soon realize that “there is a major gap between aspirations and reality.”                

He explained that a “realistic approach” consists of forming a small-scale government of 24 ministers in which all the groups that backed Salam would be represented without including candidates for the upcoming elections.                

Mikati said that a new government would eventually see the light of day “because the political factions who are supporting Salam, mainly Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt will make sure the new Cabinet is accepted by all groups.”              

On the other hand, the outgoing prime minister accused “certain Lebanese groups and individuals” of violating the “disassociation policy,” which according to him has protected Lebanon from importing the conflict raging in neighboring Syria.                    

On the case of the Lebanese hostages in Aazaz, Mikati said that the Turkish authorities would have exerted pressure on the kidnappers to release the hostages if they had influence, categorically rejecting the attempt of the hostages’ relatives to block the airport road within their movements.