Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced, in a speech he gave during his patronage of the centenary of the Tripoli Bar Association celebration, "It is true that I deal positively and openly with challenges, whatever their size, and give discussion and dialogue its maximum extent, but it is also true that dialogue stands at the limits of national and personal convictions which I never deviate from, the most prominent of which is the independence of the judiciary and through it the protection of the constitution and institutions, the preservation of Lebanon’s Arab affiliation, and the maintenance of brotherly relations with Arab brothers, foremost among them is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

"The concept of the state is based on the principle that an individual or a group voluntarily gives up some of what is his right for the sake of serving public interest," he said, calling for adherence to the rules of correct democracy and the foundations of building a modern state with one authority.

Mikati underlined his aspiration for "a state that places at the top of its interests the protection of the nation’s sovereignty, ensuring the safety of its land, people, and institutions, respecting constitutional rules and entitlements, safeguarding the interests of resident citizens and expatriates, preserving Lebanon’s Arab affiliation, and building the best relations with brothers in the region and friends in the world. A state that consecrates the independence of the judiciary and works to provide all material and moral needs for it, in order to achieve justice in the name of the Lebanese people, based only on the consciences of the judges and the texts of the law, and without the interference of anyone, regardless of their capacity and position."