By Alyssa McMurtry
OVIEDO, Spain (AA) - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati told Spanish daily El Pais in an interview published Friday that he trusts incoming US President Donald Trump to find a solution for Palestine.
“I am sure that Trump will try to impose a solution to the Palestinian problem. In his first term, he already demonstrated that he seeks peace in the region and across the world,” he said.
Mikati, a wealthy businessman before entering politics like Trump, added that the US president-elect is "a pragmatic man.”
He praised the Abraham Accords, mediated by the US during Trump’s first term, which enabled diplomatic ties between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain and Morocco.
“Agreements cannot be successful without a fair and sustainable solution for the Palestinian conflict. It’s time for that to happen. We need someone like President Trump for that to happen,” Mikati said.
The Lebanese premier expressed optimism about an international peace conference on Palestine set to be held in June.
“As the Saudis say, this solution will be imposed, regardless of who agrees or disagrees. Israel must realize that if it wants to live in peace with its neighbors, it needs the creation of a peaceful environment.”
Mikati said the Lebanese government is already in contact with Massad Boulos, Trump’s pick for Middle East adviser.
Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman, is the father-in-law of Trump’s daughter Tiffany.
Mikati expressed enthusiasm for the appointment, saying Boulos “knows the region well and has lived in Lebanon.”
“We trust that he will foster long-term stability for the country,” he added.
Mikati also discussed the Israel-Lebanon cease-fire agreement, saying he is now more confident it will last since a technical committee, convened by the US, met on Monday.
He added that for lasting peace in Lebanon, the country’s military needs more resources.
“In the last four or five years, we have been through four different crises, and our resources are very limited. So we are also asking the international community to commit to supporting our armed forces,” he said.