Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati hosted a series of meetings at the Grand Serail, addressing bilateral relations, defense cooperation, and agricultural challenges.
In a protocol visit, Mikati welcomed Sweden's newly appointed Ambassador to Lebanon, Jessica Svardstrom. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.
The Prime Minister later met with British Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshal Harvey Smyth, accompanied by UK Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell. The meeting underlined ongoing collaboration on security and defense matters.
Mikati also held talks with Caretaker Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan, who briefed him on the extensive damage to agricultural areas in Baalbek-Hermel, following a recent field visit.
"I’ve informed the Prime Minister of my inspection of agricultural damage in Baalbek-Hermel and plans for similar tours in the South to assess further damages," said Hajj Hassan.
The minister outlined a comprehensive damage assessment plan involving the South, Nabatieh, and Bekaa regions, which will be submitted to the Cabinet for review and approval.
"Our partners in this initiative include international organizations and donor agencies," he noted, emphasizing the critical need to revitalize Lebanon's vulnerable agricultural sector.
"The agricultural sector, already fragile, requires immediate attention," Hajj Hassan stated. "It must be prioritized to restore vitality for all farmers. This is essential because Lebanon’s economic recovery depends on transitioning to a productive economy driven by agriculture and industry."
When asked about potential compensation for affected farmers, the minister expressed optimism. "Yes, compensation is possible. We are in discussions with international organizations, and we have proposed reallocating funds initially designated for sustainable agricultural projects to address emergency needs," he explained.
Hajj Hassan highlighted ongoing efforts with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the National Council for Scientific Research to conduct a comprehensive aerial survey of the damages across all Lebanese territories. "The damage assessment will proceed in parallel with the FAO's efforts to estimate and define the extent of the losses," he confirmed.
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