Aoun advocates for reform 'from within,' reopening Gulf markets and restoring trust

President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that reform in Lebanon “must start from within, not from the outside,” stressing the need to reopen Arab markets — especially those in the Gulf — to Lebanese products and to “restore trust” between the state, citizens and the international community, according to the Lebanese presidency on X.

“Reform begins from within and not from the outside, and Lebanon is rich in human resources, both inside the country and abroad. It is important to mobilize these resources and give them suitable opportunities,” Aoun said. “I am continuing my efforts to reopen Arab markets, particularly those in the Gulf, to Lebanese products, and we are also working to restore the trust that has been undermined by several factors during this period.”

Lebanon remains committed to progressively reopening Gulf markets after years of stringent trade restrictions, particularly following the 2021 diplomatic crisis and regional tensions. Since then, several Gulf countries — notably Saudi Arabia — have frozen or significantly limited imports of Lebanese products, especially agricultural goods, after shipments to the kingdom were found to contain drugs hidden in export cargo.

Speaking before the General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council at the presidential palace in Baabda, Aoun said Lebanon’s crisis “cannot be summed up as just an economic crisis,” but also constitutes “a crisis of trust between the state and the people, and between Lebanon and the outside world.”

“With the capabilities you represent, both as the Council and individually, you constitute a bridge for rebuilding this trust, and we are counting on you for this and supporting you in your duties,” he told Council members, stressing the importance of strengthening their role and mission.

Aoun also urged Council members to remain actively involved in the legislative process.

“You must play your role even in the laws that are passed in Parliament. Do not neglect it and do not let anyone take your place,” he said.

Addressing the country’s overall situation, Aoun said no country is inherently poor or bankrupt, but states fail when their resources are mismanaged.

“Even if all the world’s riches were under our soil, it would be impossible to invest in them without good governance,” he said.

The president also expressed hope that the current crisis and the suffering of the Lebanese — “particularly our compatriots in the South” — will soon come to an end so that Lebanon can “find its right path again.”

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,073 people in the country.