President Michel Aoun declared Tuesday that he has exerted tremendous efforts in order to reach economic solutions but the desired results were not produced, “because the situation was bad, the obstacles numerous and growing economic pressure has driven people to the streets, upholding rightful living hood demands and brandishing one request common to all the Lebanese, namely fighting corruption.”
In a speech he delivered before the diplomatic corps at Baabda palace, Aoun said that the attempts by some political forces to harness the popular movements dispersed some of them and jeopardized their unanimity about the claimed change, adding that the rumors spread by some media and some demonstrators derailed the movement, preventing it from correctly identifying real corruption and its perpetrators.
“What is needed is a government with a specific and swift program for tackling the pressing economic and financial crisis, and countering the tremendous challenges that Lebanon and the whole region are facing,” he stated, emphasizing that “they will continue to exert all possible efforts to form the promised government, advancing the higher national interest above any other consideration.”
“The government was expected to see the light last week, but some obstacles have prevented it; and although we do not have the luxury of delay, the formation of this government requires the selection of qualified candidates, worthy of the confidence of both the people and the Parliament, which in turn requires time,” he continued.
The president also stressed commitment to the principle of disassociating Lebanon from the conflicts of the region, keeping it away from its axes and flames without relinquishing its power and right of resistance, and devising a defense strategy that would promote this opportunity based on mutual understanding among all the Lebanese.
On another note, Aoun noted that some positive indicators are expected in the near future, when Lebanon embarks on the exploration of its offshore natural resources in its territorial waters.
“In this context, we reiterate that we hold on to our right to exploit all our oil fields and reject any Israeli attempt to aggress them, as we underscore the necessity to confirm the land borders and delineate the maritime borders, in view of the benefit this has for stability and calm,” he said.