Lebanese PM Najib Miqati announced Monday that he set his mind on not stepping down and advised the March 14 opposition coalition not to waste its time in calling for his resignation.

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Miqati announced on Monday that he set his mind on not stepping down and advised the March 14 opposition coalition not to waste its time in calling for his government's resignation.

In remarks to the As Safir local daily, Miqati said: “I clearly announce that I made up my mind and turned the page on the possibility of resigning.”

“I advise those speeding up my departure not to waste their time waiting,” he said.

“I will not resign. So the government will stay until the next parliamentary elections unless an exceptional development takes place such as an agreement among the different members of the current cabinet to resign and form another one,” Miqati told As Safir.

“I feel more energetic as if the government was formed yesterday and not 18 months ago,” he said, adding: “it has seven lives.”

Miqati noted that his cabinet has been more productive than its predecessor but it lacked advertisements and promotions on its achievements.

He said those launching campaigns against the government and calling for its resignation are not working in the country's interest. Instead they only work on removing him to occupy his seat.

Asked about the Lebanese-Syrian border, Miqati stressed that the army is exerting strong efforts to prevent arms smuggling and gunmen infiltration through the border.

“This is not an easy task and the proof is that the Syrian army itself which has better capabilities can't control the border on its side.”

Miqati also pointed at the March 14 opposition’s latest demand, saying its call for the expulsion of the Syrian ambassador is unrealistic despite the government's rejection of the Syrian violations.