Prime Minister Najib Mikati’S media office, issued a statement in which he said: “Since last night, false news and press analyzes have been circulating regarding the appointments that took place in the cabinet yesterday in the Republican Palace.”

The statement added, “In this context, the Prime Minister reiterates that setting the agenda of the Council of Ministers is exclusively within his authority, and informs His Excellency the President of the Republic, provided that His Excellency has the right to put forward any item outside the agenda.”

“President Mikati also confirmed what he had previously repeated on more than one occasion and through more than one stance, that no side agreement was made in exchange for the return of the ministers to the Council of Ministers’ sessions, and he does not accept that anyone sets the cabinet’s agenda for him or interferes in his constitutional powers or specify them,” the statement added