Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday affirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to combating and preventing corruption, stating that the government is diligently working on drafting and implementing all necessary reform measures. ‘This comes within the framework of an unprecedented political commitment to combat the scourge of corruption, which has played a significant role in Lebanon’s financial, economic, and social crises,’ the PM affirmed.
Mikati made these remarks during a meeting at the Grand Serail with a delegation of government experts from Mali and Cambodia, alongside State Minister for Administrative Development Affairs Ambassador Nada Riachy, who heads the technical committee tasked with combating corruption.
The joint delegation from Mali and Cambodia is evaluating Lebanon’s compliance with the preventive measures to combat corruption and asset recovery stipulated in Articles 2 and 5 of the UNCAC. This evaluation involves a series of meetings held over three days at the offi
ce of the State Minister for Administrative Development Affairs from April 23 to 25, with the participation of all relevant Lebanese official bodies responsible for implementing the convention, including the ministries of justice, interior, finance, and the Central Inspection, Disciplinary Council, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Prime Minister Mikati also met with the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by MP Fadi Alameh. After the meeting, MP Alameh stated that the committee met with the Prime Minister to continu work on the refugee dossier, a process that has been ongoing for about 19 months.
The committee also discussed preparations for the upcoming Brussels Conference, which will focus on the issue of refugees. MP Alameh emphasized the need for Lebanon to present a unified stance and strategy regarding the refugee issue at the conference.
The committee’s meeting with the Prime Minister also touched upon recent developments in the southern border region and efforts to support
the Lebanese Army and security forces. MP Alameh noted that there is a clear and pragmatic view from many European countries on the refugee issue, and the committee hopes that Lebanon can form a lobby with its allies to gain understanding on this matter.
Additionally, Prime Minister Mikati met with a delegation from the Lebanese Olympic Committee, headed by Dr. Pierre Jalakh, who invited the Prime Minister to attend the opening of the 2024 Paris Olympics in July, highlighting the importance of Lebanon’s presence at such events, especially with the participation of Lebanese volunteers from schools assisting in welcoming participating delegations.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon