Lebanese President Michel Aoun. (Credit: Dalati & Nohra)
BEIRUT – President Michel Aoun said during a speech before the Vatican's representative in Lebanon, Joseph Spiteri, that parliamentary elections will take place on time.
Here’s what we know:
• “I hope that the Lebanese will be at the level of responsibility in delivering to the parliamentary symposium those who will work to achieve their hopes and aspirations,” he said during a meeting with the Vatican diplomat and the directors of international organizations accredited in Lebanon.
• During the meeting Aoun reiterated that Lebanon does not interfere with other countries’ internal affairs, adding that he hopes other countries would adopt a similar position and not use Lebanon as a field where they can “settle differences or regional conflicts.”
• The President expressed his determination to, “in cooperation with the House of Representatives and the government continue working despite all the obstacles in order to achieve the reforms that I have committed to,” noting that “the first reform steps are the adoption of the financial and economic recovery plan in the coming weeks.”
• Addressing his call for dialogue, Aoun said he launched them “a few days ago to discuss expanded administrative and financial decentralization, defense strategy and economic recovery plan, but some political leaders did not respond, which led me to stick to the call for dialogue because I was firmly convinced that it is the path to salvation.”
• He renewed Lebanon’s continued call to negotiate for the demarcation of its southern maritime borders in a manner that “preserves its rights in the exclusive economic zone.”