Mikati from London: government will persist, we cannot abandon our international commitments

PM Najib Mikati said that Lebanon cannot abandon its international commitments, calling on all parties to stay away from anything that may harm Lebanon’s interest.     

Mikati said from London where he started an official visit on Monday, that the government will persist and continue to work on implementing its ministerial statement that stipulates the respect of international resolutions and commitments.    

Asked whether his statements are political maneuvering, Mikati said: Whom am I maneuvering against? The opposition has the right to say whatever it wants, and I respect all positions. Eventually, the people will rule.     

“Why let debate distract us already? Why do we have to put the country in an atmosphere of tensions before the STL funding deadline?    

Following his meetings with several Lebanese figures living in the UK, Mikati said that the situation in Lebanon is stable compared with what is happening around it. “This stability is based on many pillars, most importantly: maintaining the cease-fire in the South and sticking to resolution 1701 and the STL.     

Mikati said his stance is firm: Lebanon must fully cooperate with international resolutions, including resolution 1757 related to the establishment and the funding of the STL. He added “we cannot be selective in the international resolutions; we must call on the international community, the Security Council and the U.N. to support the full implementation of resolution 1701”.     

Mikati said that he is confident the cabinet will be up to the task when the issue will be raised.     

On the other hand, Mikati said that there is a particularity in the Lebanese-Syrian relations and the treaties and conventions signed between both parties. “Whoever is asking me to take another stance forgets that the international community is diverse and divided and that the Lebanese themselves are divided”.     

Mikati warned that Lebanon cannot bear the dangers of political tampering that is pushing it to partner with or against the camps forming due to the turn of events in the region.        
Mikati will hold talks with his British counterpart David Cameron about the situation in the Middle East and the bilateral relations, as well as the issue of Britain’s administrative, technical and military aids to Lebanon.