Mikati warns of Lebanon's "most difficult" time

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned on Saturday that Lebanon is going through the most difficult and delicate stage in its modern history.

In a message to the Lebanese on the eve of the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Mikati said “Eid this year comes at a time when Lebanon is going through the most difficult and delicate stage in its history, because of how the latest developments in the region are reflected here."

He stressed that internal divisions in Lebanon and different approaches to the crisis both inside the country and in neighboring Syria were undermining unity.

“Perhaps the anxiety felt by all Lebanese in different regions is the best indicator of the delicate nature of the situation, especially given that what we have witnessed in the past few days invokes our memories of the war years, which the Lebanese consider ended with the Taif agreement," he said.

He called on all parties in the country to work together to avoid further strife.

“It is our national responsibility to cooperate together to resolve emerging situations. It is not possible for anyone to participate, intentionally or unintentionally, in attempts to destroy the national fabric through political choices or practices which increase the division and fragmentation amongst the Lebanese.”

(UPI, Al-Akhbar)