President of the Republic General Michel Aoun called on military, security and judicial apparatuses to deal transparently with citizens regarding the results of the raids carried out by the military and security forces at drug and food warehouses and fuel stations, which have increased during the past days.
The President considered that it is the right of the Lebanese, in order to restore their confidence in the state and its institutions, to know who are the actual accused of monopolizing medicines, baby milk and medical supplies and storing them for sale at a higher price and depriving the needy of them.
"Citizens also have the right to know who are those who stored fuels and for what purpose, and what measures were taken against them. And whether they were arrested and imprisoned, or did they hide from view, or were they protected from authorities which secured them to escape justice?" President Aoun added.
In addition, President Aoun demanded that citizens be informed about the fate of the confiscated materials, considering that "unless the Lebanese get clear answers to these legitimate questions, question marks will continue to circulate in their thoughts and increase their suffering, and the trust that is supposed to exist between them and their state in all its institutions will fade day after day. In order for everyone to cooperate in order to combat monopolies, monopolists, and the parties behind them, and to facilitate their continuation of their practices, which are devoid of any national or humanitarian sense, especially in light of the difficult living conditions that the Lebanese are going through".
Moreover, President Aoun affirmed that, for his part, he will not hesitate to put all the facts before public opinion so that he does not fall prisoner to rumors and false news, and to know the truth about those who delve into immoral and inhuman practices and who protects these perpetrators.
"Because this is another aspect of the anti-corruption process that will not stop no matter how intense the pressures and the variety of extortion, knowing that the responsibility of the judiciary in pursuing monopolists, the corrupt and the perpetrators, is essential and necessary so that they receive the punishment they deserve" President Aoun continued.