Interim Social Affairs Minister Hector al-Hajjar said after a meeting chaired by interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail: “We briefed Mikati on the progress of work in the ‘Aman’ programme, the number of beneficiaries, payments monthly, and the evaluation of the phase before moving to a new phase, and Mikati praised With the team working on the program, its transparency and professionalism, and wished us to complete the work to reach 150,000 beneficiaries, since their number it has now reached 76,000 beneficiaries 48,000 students are in the first phase of registration, hoping that in the second phase they will have transport and in the third phase the stationery for a period of nine months.
Al-Hajjar was asked, “Why aren’t continuous social programs being put in place to help the Lebanese people socially and healthily?” He replied: “The “Aman” program was developed after the subsidy was withdrawn from citizens, and we are bound by it, but I come from a school that encourages development and social protection projects, and from day one we have worked and we are working on a social protection strategy for the poor and for their support, not only in the financial aspect, but through programs that allow them to already have protection in health and education and other matters. Just to pay money to those who have it need, but we must support them with ongoing programs to reduce health and education bills, as well as for people with special needs.
He was also asked: “There is a danger for the middle class, so what is the solution to strengthen its role?” middle class and protection of the poor, which means that the promotion plan must go in two directions, protection of the poor and the creation of a new class, the middle class, so that the economy remains lively and moves towards growth.
Mikati met with Finance Minister Youssef Khalil and during the meeting they discussed the finance and economic affairs of the ministry.
Mikati met with Representative Ihab Matar, and during the meeting they discussed the overall situation, and met with the Director General of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba.
