​Cabinet Statement:

After the session, the Information Minister read the following statement:

“The Cabinet convened in its weekly session, chaired by President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, and attended by Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, and ministers except the Foreign Affairs Minister who was absent for attending the Conference of Non-Aligned Countries.

At the beginning, the President pointed out that this session is dedicated to presenting ministers’ visions and plans of action, each in the field of his ministerial responsibilities, and the difficulties they face in their work, bearing in mind that these plans must comply with the content of the government’s policy statement. The President also stated that “We all face numerous challenges which require expediting work to confront them, knowing that crises seem to be faster”. President Aoun also asserted the need to expedite the completion if the 2021-2022 draft budget.

Then, several ministers discussed the circumstances surrounding the judicial investigation into the crime of the Beirut Port explosion, and the necessity that the Cabinet takes a position on this issue. After deliberation, it was decided to continue discussions in another session tomorrow.

Afterwards, the Cabinet approved the following appointments, outside the agenda:

-Appointing Dr. Bassam Badran, as President of the Lebanese University.

-Appointing Judge Albert Serhan and Lawyer Mireille Najem as members of the Constitutional Council.

-Appointing Judge Mohammed Al-Masry as Director General of the Justice Ministry.

-Appointing members of the Council of Honors, Messrs.: Ali Hamad, Antoine Choucair, Adnan Daher, Brigadier General Michel Abou Rizk, Brigadier General Ali Makki, and Mr. Hamad will be the Council’s Dean.

The Education Minister indicated that he will present, to the Cabinet, proposals for the appointment of the Deans of the Lebanese University College, according to the nominations of year 2018, within two weeks.

The Cabinet was also briefed on the appointment of Judges, Danny Sheble, Elias Richa, Mireille Haddad and Habib Mezher, as members of the Supreme Judicial Council, based on the proposal of the Justice Minister and the approval of the President of the Republic, and Prime Minister”.

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