Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati convened a cabinet session on Wednesday to address the ongoing Israeli assault across Lebanon, which has devastated cities and left civilians and critical infrastructure at risk.

“The brutal Israeli war continues to target all of Lebanon—its people, medical and rescue teams, places of worship, hospitals, and daily life—as well as assaulting the Lebanese army and UNIFIL forces,” Mikati said at the beginning of the session. He condemned Israel’s actions as flagrant violations of international law and humanitarian values, highlighting the heavy toll on Lebanese civilians.

Mikati held the international community accountable for what he called Israel’s “war of extermination” against Lebanon.

“Israel is systematically destroying towns, villages, and civilian lives, targeting medical and relief teams, and even attacking UNIFIL forces,” he said, describing these attacks as “an assault on the international legitimacy and the UN Security Council.”

Mikati pledged Lebanon’s commitment to upholding its sovereignty, emphasizing that “Lebanon’s dignity and national sovereignty must be respected across land, sea, and air, and we will not tolerate any breaches or attacks.” 

The prime minister renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire, deeming the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 as a path toward stability.

Reflecting on the suffering of displaced families, Mikati praised the solidarity shown by Lebanese citizens for those who have had to flee their homes. He also lauded the emergency committee’s work in managing the crisis, specifically recognizing the efforts of Minister Nasser Yassin and Health Minister Firas Abiad in ensuring aid is delivered swiftly and effectively.

As the country enters its third year without a president, Mikati expressed grave concern over the ongoing vacuum.

“The dangers are mounting, and we continue to call on all political factions to fulfill their constitutional responsibility by electing a president,” he stressed.

Mikati commended Lebanon’s religious leaders for their recent summit in Bkerke, where they underscored the importance of national unity in safeguarding Lebanon’s unique identity. He described their statements as "crucial for Lebanon’s survival" amid the ongoing conflict and called for dialogue between political leaders to reach consensus on electing a president.

Mikati underscored recent international and regional outreach efforts, citing his meetings with Jordanian King Abdullah II, French President Emmanuel Macron, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris. He noted that the Paris conference on Lebanon, alongside meetings with Arab and foreign leaders, demonstrated "unwavering solidarity" for Lebanon among its allies. However, he cautioned that Israel continues to ignore all international efforts toward a ceasefire.

He expressed gratitude to France for its support of Lebanon, particularly in humanitarian aid and assistance to the Lebanese army.

Mikati ended by congratulating the United States on its recent election results, commending the American people for their commitment to democracy.