Mikati's comments came during a press conference Tuesday. (Credit: Dalati Nohra/Handout via Reuters)
BEIRUT — Prime Minister Najib Mikati said in a press conference on Tuesday that he has signed a decree setting Parliamentary elections for May 15, and that he “hopes the new year will be positive and will bring the cabinet back to meeting again.” Mikati’s comments come after more than two months of government paralysis.
Here’s what we know:
• Issued and signed by Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi yesterday, the decree still awaits President Michel Aoun’s signature in order to formally set a date for elections. “I agreed with Aoun on the May 15 date,” he said, adding that he expects the president to sign the decree.
• The prime minister has not scheduled a cabinet meeting since Oct. 12 due to fears that the Hezbollah and Amal affiliated ministers would boycott any session over a disagreement regarding the role of port blast investigation head Judge Tarek Bitar.
• During the press conference, Mikati said that in his opinion the port investigation “is violating the constitution, which is above the law, but that is for the judiciary to fix and I do not interfere in its business.” Mikati has supported a resolution that assigns the Supreme Court to prosecute ministers and MPs, some of whom were summoned and have had warrants for their arrest issued by Bitar.
• Aoun has previously called on Mikati to schedule a cabinet meeting even if it were boycotted.