Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Monday received at the Grand Serail, Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, and the new Council of Muftis, in the presence of Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Caretaker Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, and the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makiya. During the meeting, Caretaker Premier Mikati welcomed “His Eminence, the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic and the Muftis of the regions and governorates,’ and considered that “the convening of the Council of Muftis constitutes a new beginning that consolidates the unity of the country with its provinces and regions and its integration.” Mikati also renewed the call for holding a constructive dialogue with all national components, for the sake of national unity and cooperation among all its people. During the meeting, Mufti Derian hailed the efforts undertaken by Premier Mikati in addressing all political, economic and daily living issues endured by the Lebanese citizens. The Mufti underlined the importance of consensus and agreement between the political parties in the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese. On te other hand, Premier Mikati received Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, in the presence of the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Rola Dashti, and the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Imran Riza. The meeting also took place in the presence of Premier Mikati’s Advisors Ambassador Boutors Assaker and Ziad Mikati. Discussions during the meeting reportedly touched on cooperation between Lebanon and the United Nations. Amina Mohammed’s visit falls within the framework of the special mission assigned to her by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to discuss with the Lebanese government the developmental programs funded by the United Nations and the impact of the geopolitical reality in the region on the UN aid programs. Mikati later received the Representative of the International Organization of La Francophonie in the Middle East, Levon Amirjanyan, in the presence of Tunisian Ambassador to Lebanon, Bouraoui Limam. The Prime Minister also received a delegation of the Lebanese National Commission for UNESCO. During the meeting, the committee’s work and activities were discussed.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon