Prime Minister Saad Hariri called on the deputies to speak responsibly about the financial stability, stressing that everyone is working to preserve the interest of Lebanon and the Lebanese Pound.
Hariri’s position came in response to the intervention of member of the Strong Republic bloc MP George Adwan during the evening parliament session to discuss the budget, who said that “it is the duty of the state commissioner to present an annual report on the profits and losses concerning Banque Du Liban, is he doing that?”
On the issue of the regulatory authority, the prime minister said that they have been trying to find a solution for a problem existing for 15 years while adopting a positive approach, stressing that “the cabinet is free to discuss whatever it wants.”
“If the Lebanese Forces party wanted to abide by the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund, what does it think about changing the Lebanese Pound’s exchange rate, increasing the VAT to 15% and imposing a 5,000 LBP on gasoline?” he asked.
“Attack the cabinet as much as you want but when you want to speak about the financial and monetary stability, do it with responsibility. It is true that the situation is difficult but we are not heading toward a disaster,” he continued.
Also on the budget, Hariri said that “this budget may not what the president, speaker and prime minister want, but this is what can be done.”
In response, Adwan said “if practicing our duties is a source of disturbance then this is not our problem, we are a party and we have an opinion to express.”
To read Adwan’s speech at the Parliament session, click on this link