Lebanese Government Headed By Miqati Finally Established

Local Editor

A Lebanese government headed by Prime Minister Najib Miqati was announced Monday after meetings in the Presidential Palace in Baabda that lasted over four hours between President Michel Suleiman, the assigned PM, and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Secretary-General of the Prime Ministry Souheil Bouji delivered a statement announcing the members of the new government. These include, Samir Mokbel Deputy PM Mohammad Fneish Minister of State for Administrative Development Affairs Wael Abu-Faour Minister of Social Affairs Gebran Bassil Minister of Energy and Water Hussein Al-Hajj Hasan Minister of Agriculture Charbel Nahhas Minister of Labor Fadi Abboud Minister of Tourism Talal Arslan Minister of State Nicolas Fattouch Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ghazi Al-Aridi Minister of Public Works Ali Kanso Minister of State Ali Hasan Khalil Minister of Health Mohammad Safadi Minister of Finance Salim Karam Minister of State Alaa El-Din Terro Minister of Immigrant Affairs Ahmad Karameh Minister of State Nazem Al-Khouri Minister of Environment Fayez Ghoson Minister of National Defense Shakib Qartabawi Minister of Justice Adnan Mansour Minister of Foreign Affairs Nicolas Nahhas Minister of Economy and Trade Marwan Charbel Minister of Interior Elias Sabounjian Minister of Industry Walid Al-Daouk Minister of Information Panos Manjian Minister of State Hassan Diab Minister of Education Gaby Layoun Minister of Culture Nicolas Sahnawi Minister of communications Faisal Karameh Minister of Youth and Sports After the announcement, the Lebanese PM made a speech were he assured that the absence of a government could have no longer been accepted, pointing out that speaker Berri has made strong efforts, and various formation modifications were executed so that this step would be accomplished. Miqati expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Berri clarifying that “the government would have never been established if it wasn’t for his sacrifices and nationalism”. He further addressed the Lebanese people saying that “this government is for all of you, regardless of your stances. It is aware that its path is not an easy one and that your common will and conviction that co-existence has no replacement will be the bridge”. Miqati stated that “we have chosen a slogan for the government that is “all for nation, all for labor”, adding that the government strictly holds on to the Ta’af accord, land liberation, as well as a constructive dialogue based on the constitutional laws.

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