The danger threatens all Lebanon and all sects, says Mikati

INA - BAGHDAD

Lebanese PM Najib Mikati affirmed on Saturday, the Lebanese government's adherence to international legitimacy and international law, while pointing out that the danger threatens all Lebanon and all sects.

"First, I call on you to stand in silence in mourning for the soul of the martyr, His Eminence Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and all the martyrs who fell as a result of the war of extermination waged by the Zionist enemy against Lebanon," said Mikati in a speech - followed by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.
 
He highlighted, saying "Your Excellencies, Lebanese men and women, in light of the horror of what our dear homeland has been and is being subjected to in terms of brutal Zionist aggression that has affected most Lebanese regions, I address you today, knowing that this is not the time for talk. I call on you to confront what is happening with national responsibility that preserves our unity and affirms our solidarity; because one of the goals of the Zionist enemy is to strike this unity, which has always been the strongest weapon in confronting its criminal plans."

"Our national responsibility at this historic and exceptional moment requires putting aside political differences, divergent positions and different choices so that we can all meet on what preserves, protects and strengthens the homeland," he expressed.

Mikati added, "The martyrs who fell from all regions and watered the land with their blood, the wounded who fill hospitals and health centers, and our people who were forcibly displaced from their homes and land, are calling on everyone's conscience to forget everything that divides and focus on everything that unites. Our solidarity today in these fateful moments in the life of the homeland is the strongest response to the Zionist aggression." 

"The government is doing its utmost to confront this destructive, hateful war that the Zionist entity is waging against us, and we went to the United Nations to reach a solution, but the enemy went with the intention of treachery and planning more massacres. In all the meetings I held at the United Nations, I felt Lebanon's friend's absolute support for us and an emphasis on stopping the Zionist aggression, but the law of the jungle that controls the world made the Zionist enemy fail all ceasefire efforts and continue its war against Lebanon; because it does not care about the law or international legitimacy," he asserted.

He explained that "perhaps what happened yesterday and is still happening now in the southern suburbs of Beirut and several areas is the best evidence of the truth of the premeditated Zionist goals. Despite this, we renew our commitment to international legitimacy and international law, and we demand once again to work to stop the Zionist aggression and implement international resolution No.1701 and all relevant international resolutions."

"The government, with all its civil, military, security, health and humanitarian departments, continues to carry out its duty in cooperation with citizens who opened their homes to receive citizens, civil society institutions, associations and humanitarian and health bodies, to which I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings for what they have shown during the past days and continue to do, in terms of cooperation, dedication and the effort they have provided," Mikati pointed out.

The Lebanese PM added, "Despite all of this, I apologize for any shortcomings that have occurred in light of the limited capabilities and the enormity of the needs after the displacement of our children in the targeted areas reached a level that exceeded all expectations. Today, we will take a series of measures and procedures that contribute to providing the necessary humanitarian, health and social treatments to receive our people and brothers, embrace them, preserve their dignity and avoid the urgent gaps resulting from the pressure of displacement and the horror of what happened." 

"The state is the incubator of its children and the guarantor of them and their dignity. We are called upon at this fateful moment to renew our unity and embody it by working quickly to elect a president for the republic so that we can save our country and protect our people. This is a collective responsibility that does not exclude anyone, as the danger threatens us and does not distinguish between one group and another, one sect and another, or one component and another. At this difficult time, we also reaffirm the role of the army and security forces in protecting the homeland, preserving its borders, the unity of its people, and preserving its role," Mikati concluded.