President Michel Aoun met Wednesday at the Baabda Palace with the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Natalia Kanim with her accompanying delegation, where he informed her that Lebanon is working to promote the rights of women and children and to enhance their participation in the country's political life.
Aoun stressed that freedom of expression is safeguarded in Lebanon, and the independence of the judiciary is effective, adding that the best conditions for inmates are maintained and their rights are guaranteed.
"The state encourages Lebanese women to be effective in the field of legislation, and women are appointed in several positions within the executive authority," the president noted.
Aoun also explained to Dr. Kanim the achievements on the economic level, starting with the adoption of a modern economic reform plan, as well as the national security plan, through which terrorist threats have been eliminated. He also briefed her on the achievement of parliamentary elections "held on the basis of proportionality for the first time in Lebanon's history, which enabled the representation of all the Lebanese alike."
Aoun emphasized that efforts are ongoing to form a new government and to begin the completion of reforms, as well as to take advantage of decisions and recommendations of the international conferences such as CEDRE, Rome 2, and Brussels.
He also stressed Lebanon's keenness on preserving cultural, ethnic and religious diversity in the region, especially in the face of attempts at displacement and division.