Mikati calls on opposition to be ‘constructive’

Prime Minister Najib Mikati urged the opposition on Friday to become more “constructive” as governments change but the state remains the main foundation of the country. “It’s unacceptable to attack the state in order to change any cabinet,” Mikati said at the annual meeting of INSEAD Alumni Association and Institute of Business Administration at Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut. He noted that sharp differences in political stances don’t justify attempts by some politicians to “lead Lebanon into a crisis in order to achieve their objectives.” Miqati pointed out that he has tried since he was tasked to form the government in 2011 to disassociate Lebanon from the developments in the region. “Many have criticized this policy but they are adopting it under different labels,” he added. Mikati said that Lebanon shouldn’t interfere in the affairs of other countries as others shouldn’t meddle in the Lebanese domestic affairs. “We have to disassociate ourselves from the developments in the region especially in Syria to safeguard the nation,” he stressed. Lebanon has recently witnessed a series of incidents in the northern city of Tripoli and along the Lebanese-Syrian border. The March 14-led opposition has continuously called for the formation of a neutral cabinet, describing Mikati as unqualified to oversee the 2013 parliamentary elections.