Sleiman calls for electing a strong president loyal to Lebanon

President Michel Sleiman stressed Wednesday that a state cannot be built without a defense strategy to protect all the components of the country, including the Resistance.

During a ceremony held to launch the administrative decentralization bill, Sleiman noted that the Lebanese people need a strong president, adding that he must remain loyal to the country.

On another note, Sleiman pointed out that a new dialogue session may soon be held, calling on the national dialogue committee to pursue its work and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon to issue its verdicts.

He also urged the implementation of the Baabda Declaration and the withdrawal of all weapons from Palestinian refugee camps.

The president explained that administrative decentralization improves national unity and eliminates all forms of division, stating that establishing a police department in every district helps in controlling security and assisting the Lebanese army and security forces.

For his part, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed that the adoption of administrative decentralization strengthens the state and improves its ability to meet the demands of citizens.

He added that decentralization has become one of the criteria based on which a state’s modernity is evaluated.