Mikati reiterates refusal to resign, saying some 'want the fall' of his government

BEIRUT — Prime Minister Najib Mikati told Lebanese daily newspaper Al Joumhouria newspaper in comments published Wednesday that his opponents “want the fall" of his government in order to be able to postpone the parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 15. Mikati had suggested during the parliamentary session Tuesday that he is ready for a vote of confidence for his cabinet, a suggestion Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri rejected.

Here’s what we know:

    • "They don't want the elections [to take place] and think that their last card to prevent it from happening would be to bring down the government. But I won't let myself be dragged into that,” Mikati said, adding that “There will be no resignations."

    • Mikati also said "I am ringing the alarm bell. The situation should not be managed in this way. I will not accept what they are doing because it is at the expense of the country and the Lebanese and it will not lead to anything,” said Mikati without naming those who seek to bring down his government.

    • A cabinet meeting is scheduled for this afternoon at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, and will include discussion of amending the draft of the capital control bill which was rejected by the parliamentary committees on Monday, and consequently removed from the agenda of the Parliament session which took place yesterday.

    • On Tuesday Mikati said that he does not intend to resign, saying that this would serve as a pretext for postponing the parliamentary elections.

    • Billions of dollars have reportedly been transferred abroad from Lebanon following the economic crisis that started to shape in October 2019. A capital control law is yet to be approved by Parliament.