Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited the presidential palace in Baabda for a meeting on the situation in Lebanon and developments in the south as the deadline approaches for Israel’s withdrawal from the areas it still occupies. The meeting also addressed the challenges facing the government formed Saturday by Nawaf Salam, according to a statement from Mikati’s press office. Mikati later visited Ain al-Tineh to meet with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, according to another statement.

During his conversation with President Joseph Aoun, Mikati expressed hope that "the new government will be able to fulfill the promises it has made and implement the inaugural speech" delivered by Aoun upon his election on Jan. 9.

"We fully support the government because it is good for Lebanon and good for every Lebanese citizen," Mikati said, adding, "We hope the coming days will bring more stability and prosperity."

Mikati made no statement after his meeting with Berri. According to a press release issued by the state-run National News Agency (NNA), “the two discussed the evolution of the situation in Lebanon and the region, political developments and developments on the ground, as well as bilateral relations.”

Salam’s government succeeds that of Mikati, which was formed in September 2021 but has been in caretaker status since the May 2022 legislative elections. The election of Aoun ended more than two years of presidential vacancy caused by the same political deadlock that had prevented the formation of a new government.

The new president has already drawn praise for his inaugural speech, in which he pledged to uphold judicial independence, implement reforms necessary to lift Lebanon out of its ongoing crisis and reassert the state’s monopoly on arms.

Salam’s government has until the next legislative elections in spring 2026 to advance its agenda, while Israel is seeking to extend its presence in southern Lebanon beyond Feb. 18, after an initial delay from the original withdrawal deadline of Jan. 27.

Mikati will also meet at 4 p.m. with former Prime Minister, Saad Hariri, who is in Beirut ahead of the 20th commemoration of his father, Rafik Hariri's, assassination.