The Media Office of Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued the following statement:
Since this afternoon, news and leaks have been circulating about Prime Minister Mikati’s stance, following the meeting he held with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri at Ain al-Tineh.
In this context, the following should be clarified:
During the meeting, Prime Minister Mikati reiterated his principled stance, as to refuse to interfere in the work of the judiciary in any way, or to consider the Council of Ministers as an arena for settlements that directly or equivocally deal with interference in judicial affairs at all.
Prime Minister Mikati also reiterated that the proposed solutions to the problem related to the issue of the Supreme Council for the Trial of Presidents and Ministers should be entrusted within the provisions of the constitution alone, without accepting, any decision inferred by circumventing the work of institutions.
Prime Minister Mikati conveyed this stance to His Excellency President Michel Aoun and President Nabih Berri, and it is an absolutely unambiguous stance.
President Mikati is continuing in his duties and efforts to resolve the issue of resuming cabinet sessions, and any subsequent position he may take will be linked only to his national and personal convictions and his assessment of the course of things… Clarification was required.