Media Office of Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati issued the following statement:

“Some media means have deliberately disseminated fabricated and partial news about the discussions of the Council of Ministers yesterday, either to get a scoop or to insult the army.

Yesterday’s Council of Ministers’ session witnessed constructive and fruitful discussions, and army commander General Joseph Aoun made a clear and meticulous presentation of the guidelines of the comprehensive plan the military intends to implement in order to boost its deployment in the south under UNSC Resolution 1701.

It was agreed to submit the plan to the Council of Ministers to approve it ahead of its implementation to complete the expansion of the state authority nationwide.

The Council of Ministers expressed confidence in the army and its national unifying role, in addition to the wisdom of its command in these critical circumstances, to protect the military institution and its role, and to keep it away from political bickering.”