Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati met at the Grand Serail with Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, with whom he discussed a range of issues, including bilateral relations and recent developments.
Mikati also held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, with whom he reviewed the progress of the committees under his chairmanship.
Dr. Ghada Ayoub, a member of the "Strong Republic" bloc, also met with Prime Minister Mikati to discuss developmental and service-related issues concerning the Jezzine area. She emphasized the urgency of completing work at the main entrance to Jezzine before the World Bank loan expires in November.
Additionally, the pair addressed the electricity crisis and the necessity of renewing the agreement with Iraq, which requires parliamentary approval to ensure the necessary payments.
Mikati received MP Mohammad Sleiman, with whom he discussed general issues and developmental projects related to the Akkar region.
Prime Minister Mikati also welcomed Judge Haider Hanoun, head of the "Arab Network for Integrity and Anti-Corruption" and the "Iraqi Integrity Commission", along with an Iraqi delegation. The meeting included Judge Claude Karam, head of the "Lebanese National Anti-Corruption Commission", and Arkan Al-Silani, the regional anti-corruption director for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Hanoun conveyed greetings from the Iraqi Prime Minister and reiterated Iraq's full support for Lebanon and Mikati's efforts. He highlighted the collaboration between the Iraqi and Lebanese anti-corruption bodies, stressing the importance of integrity in addressing economic, social, and security challenges. Hanoun praised Lebanon's commitment to fighting corruption and offered logistical, financial, and expertise support to bolster Lebanon's efforts in this domain.
After the meeting, Hanoun remarked, "We are delighted to be in Lebanon, working alongside the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Our memorandum of understanding and shared expertise have yielded significant achievements, particularly under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's government, which prioritizes anti-corruption efforts. We are committed to supporting Lebanon with logistical, financial, and expert assistance to ensure the success of their anti-corruption initiatives."
Hanoun concluded by acknowledging Mikati's clear vision for combating corruption, stating that the information and strategies discussed could lead to effective solutions for Lebanon's corruption issues, benefiting its economic recovery and institutional integrity.
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