Prime Minister Saad Hariri met on Tuesday at the Grand Serail with the International Support Group for Lebanon.
Following the meeting, United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis declared that Hariri briefed the ambassadors on the seriousness of the long-awaited measures taken on Monday by the cabinet, whether as part of the 2020 budget or out of the budget.
He added that Hariri stressed that these measures are a first step and the cabinet agreed on them thanks to the protesters who took to the streets over the past days.
Kubis also announced that the International Support Group voiced support to the reform goals issued by Hariri and the decisions adopted by the government and that go in line with the aspirations of the Lebanese people.
“We praise the democratic expression of the Lebanese people and their demands of structural reforms and social changes that should reduce the levels of corruption and waste,” Kubis said, noting that these measures should lead to a sustainable growth and stability.
The ISG also welcomed the responsible conduct of the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces who respected the people’s right to hold peaceful demonstrations.
Kubis added that the ISG urges the leaders and political actors of Lebanon to listen to the legitimate demands of the people, to work with them on solutions and their implementations, stressing the need to refrain from rhetoric and acts that could inflame tensions and internal confrontation and violence.
The support group reiterated its complete support for Lebanon and the integrity of its territories, its sovereignty and political independence.
Hariri has met earlier with French Ambassador to Lebanon Bruno Foucher, Russian ambassador Alexander Zasbikin, British Ambassador Chris Rampling, with whom he discussed the latest developments.
He also received the Kuwaiti ambassador to Lebanon Abdel Ali al-Qannai, in the presence of the head of the Council for Development and Reconstruction Nabil al-Jisr.
Al-Qannai said when leaving the meeting: “It is not time to talk but to act.”