The Council of Ministers convened in session this morning at the Grand Serail, headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikat, during which talks centered on the prevailing judicial situation. Absent from the three-hour meeting were Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh, Social Affairs Minister Hector Hajjar and Energy and Water Minister Walid Fayyad.
Following the session, PM Mikati told the attending press that the cabinet’s extraordinary meeting was devoted to tackling the current situation in the country, assuring that none of the cabinet members meet to protect any sector in itself. “Rather, our goal is to preserve the balances that prevent us from reaching a stage where all sectors become losing sectors,” he said.
“I reiterate my keenness and the keenness of the Council of Ministers on the independence of the judiciary and non-interference in judicial affairs, out of respect for the principle of separation of powers,” Mikati asserted.
“In parallel, and on the basis of the government’s responsibility in drawing up the general policy in the country, and based on the principle of cooperation between the authorities, their balance, integration and cooperation, and our concern for the stability of the situation in all respects, the Council requested that the law take its course without any discrimination or discretion, and that the initiative be taken to address the judicial status in accordance with the principles and according to the authority stipulated by the laws in force, by the pillars of the judicial authority…in a manner that preserves the rights of all, at the forefront of which are the rights of depositors,” the Prime Minister underlined.
“In this context, we confirmed the decision taken in the previous session in terms of commissioning the Minister of Justice to develop a vision to address the judicial situation and any defects that might occur and present it to the Council of Ministers soon,” Mikati explained, adding that “in a related context, the Minister of Finance was asked to request the Central Bank to take the necessary and immediate measures not to limit the withdrawal ceilings for salaries and pensions domiciled in banks.”
The Prime Minister also disclosed that the cabinet members were informed by the Deputy Prime Minister of the speed of work on the completion of the draft recovery plan and its related draft laws in preparation for its presentation and approval by the Council of Ministers.
“We also urged the honorable Parliament to accelerate the adoption of the Capital Control Law,” Miikati added, stressing that “the Council of Ministers works as a group and discusses all matters in detail, with clear affirmation of the priority that the rights of depositors, especially small depositors, be safeguarded and well-preserved.”
Source: National News Agency