Outgoing Prime Minister Nagib Mikati speaking at the Algiers summit on November 2, 2022. Photo Dalati and Nohra
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on member states of the Arab League Wednesday to "cooperate" as Lebanon as the country is facing a dire socio-economic crisis and an unprecedented double executive political vacancy.
"The Lebanon you know has changed," said Mikati in a speech during the Arab League summit in Algiers. "The beacon of light has gone out, the port that was considered the gateway to the East has suffered an explosion, and the lights of the airport, which should be a connection platform, are out due to lack of fuel."
He emphasized Lebanon is suffering at an economic, social and environmental level.
"We are fighting pandemics with minimal resources," Mikati added, referring to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and Lebanon's recent cholera outbreak.
He also explained that "the government found itself facing an unprecedented crisis that forced it to move forward very slowly and cautiously in order to remedy the situation and build a proper foundation to help the country reach its destination."
Lebanon is experiencing, for the first time in its history, a double executive vacancy. Former President Michel Aoun's term ended on Oct. 31, leaving behind a caretaker cabinet and no presidential successor.
Mikati "called for cooperation and deepening of coordination between Lebanon and the Arab League," praising "the assistance deployed by the Arab brothers in Lebanon."
On Tuesday, the Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmad Aboul Gheit, warned that the presidential vacancy in Lebanon over a prolonged period "will have harmful consequences" for the country.