Today, Prime Minister Najib Mikati met with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, at the Grand Serail, in the presence of the League of Arab States’ Assistant Secretary-General, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, and the head of the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research, Ambassador Abdel Rahman Solh. Judge Mahmoud Makiya, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, and Ambassador Boutros Asaker, President Mikati’s diplomatic counselor, were also present.

The Arab League Secretary-General arrived at the Grand Serail at 10:30 a.m., where he was greeted with the usual greeting ceremony. He was greeted by Mahmoud Makiya, Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, and Lahoud Lahoud, Director of Protocols.

“We are delighted that the city of Beirut welcomes this event, as it is always a beacon of knowledge,” Aboul Gheit remarked at a ceremony recognizing the inaugural winners of the Arab prize for the finest doctoral dissertation in the field of law and justice in the Arab world.

“This event is significant because of the gravity of the subject it tackles, as well as its expression of the rising Arab interest in scientific research instruments,” he added.

He explained, “Raising the levels of scientific research and innovation is an essential pillar of the so-called ‘knowledge society’.”

“I once again express my thanks for the scientific role played by the Arab Center for Legal and Judicial Research,” Aboul Gheit said, “and greetings and appreciation to the Lebanese Republic, the state of the center’s headquarters, for the warm reception and hospitality.”

Prime Minister Najib Mikati, on the other side, stated, “Today’s party is an opportunity and a message from Beirut of our pride and keenness on the status of Arab Lebanon as a founder country of the League of Arab States.” “We constantly aim for Lebanon to remain involved within the Arab Oasis,” he continued.

“Having this gathering in our capital at this particular time is a renewed confirmation of your belief in Lebanon’s role, purpose, and the values that it reflects,” Mikati concluded.

“Lebanon, which was and will be a part of the Arab world,” he continued, “is currently undergoing an unparalleled crisis at all levels, and our administration is attempting to solve it with all available capacities, and we depend on God.”

“We expect our Arab brothers to grasp our predicament properly and stand with us to save Lebanon from risks and assist us bear loads that have outgrown our capabilities,” he continued.

“Fighting will not result in a winner and a loser,” Mikati added, emphasizing that “winning can only be reached by understanding amongst partners, caring for the future of our younger generations, and designing a future that satisfies their goals.”