NNA - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asserted that “From a political point of view, there are crises, some of which are artificial in terms of a political conflict on the ground, which could have been avoided and allowed international intervention in Lebanese affairs, and others are natural”.

“From the beginning, I was insisting that forensic audit should be carried out since it would be a new beginning, which would reveal those responsible for wasting money. This is my duty and cost me a lot of time and effort, and I confronted a lot of resistance and those who worked to put obstacles” the President said.

Moreover, President Aoun stated that negotiations are underway with the International Monetary Fund to present an economic plan on the basis of which long-term loans can be obtained, after all which was said about the reality of the financial situation, according to reports which were received from the highest responsible authorities in this field.

In addition, the President referred to organized campaigns based on lies and distortion of facts which aim at political assassination, stressing that he is determined to try to bring about the necessary changes, “Regardless of challenges”. President Aoun also affirmed that forensic audit is the precursor to this desired change, especially in terms of monitoring those responsible for public funds in various official institutions.

The President’s stances came while meeting a delegation from the International Lions Club Association, District 351, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, today at the Presidential Palace.

The delegation visited the President after the election of their new Governor, Aida Kaawar, and to offer congratulations on Independence Day.

Governor Kaawar:

Governor Kaawar congratulated the President on Independence, and delivered the following word:

“From the land of the nobles, from the beloved Jordan and from Lebanon, we have come to you with a goal to serve the human being, a goal which we have dictated ourselves to.

We serve by restoring around 1,800 homes, several hospitals, schools, and commercial establishments and providing a rescue boat to the Civil Defense.

Our achievements are numerous, from medical and environmental campaigns, to fighting hunger through the implementation of the Good Meal Program. District 351 has received many gifts and grants, through which it established a dialysis ward at Al-Bwar Governmental Hospital, and an advanced academy and clinics for early diabetes detection at Al-Shamal Hospital. We also provide moral and care support to children with cancer and their families”.

President Aoun:

The President welcomed the delegation and congratulated Lions Club on electing a new Governor, praising the work such clubs do in Lebanon at social, health and humanitarian levels, including helping to equip Bwar Governmental Hospital to receive and accompany patients.

President Aoun also thanked the club’s members for their dedication and devotion to humanitarian issues in Lebanon, and for embodying the values of free love which have become rare in our world today. The President expressed readiness to meet all the demands he receives, which would activate medical devices in government hospitals.

On the other hand, the President indicated that the bad conditions which Lebanon is experiencing are the result of the accumulation of problems, which are exacerbated by the new difficulties which have been resolved.

“Debt has reached around 200 billion dollars, the war in Syria has closed the outlets to the markets of Arab countries, and more than 1.5 million Syrians have been displaced, causing annual losses estimated at around 3 billion US Dollars. Lebanon also suffered from demonstrations, Corona pandemic and the tragic Port blast” President Aoun continued.

“As for the political aspect, there are crises, some of which are artificial in terms of the political conflict on the ground that could have been avoided and allowed international interference in Lebanese affairs, and others are natural. It is true that we were able to maintain the security situation, but what is happening does not compensate for the need that the citizen suffers from, especially at the financial and economic level, after they lost their lives savings, which is unacceptable, but it was imposed on us because of the imbalance in the use of public money” President Aoun added.

“From here, it was necessary to conduct a forensic audit to reveal the culprits and who is behind this matter” President Aoun said, stressing that he was insisting from the beginning that such an audit should be conducted because it would be a new beginning, and it would reveal those responsible for wasting money. “This is my duty and it cost me a lot of time and effort. There was a lot of resistance and people working to put up obstacles to this procedure” the President asserted.

Moreover, President Aoun indicated that negotiations are underway with the International Monetary Fund to present an economic plan on the basis of which long-term loans can be obtained, after all talk was said in the air about the reality of financial conditions, according to reports that were received from the highest responsible authorities in this field.

In conclusion, the President referred to the organized campaigns based on lies and distortion of facts that aim at political assassination, stressing that he is determined to try to bring about the necessary changes, regardless of the challenges, and the forensic audit is the sign of this desired change, especially in terms of monitoring those responsible for public funds in various official institutions.

Letter from President Putin:

The President met Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, and received from him a letter from Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

The letter included Independence congratulations, and an affirmation of the friendly relations between Lebanon and Russia, where President Putin expressed his confidence that these relations will remain in the future “So that we can, thanks to our joint efforts, ensure further development for the interest of our two peoples and in order to enhance security and stability in the Middle East”.

In addition, President Putin affirmed Russian permanent commitment to “Support Lebanon’s sovereignty and unity, and the impermissibility of any external interference in      Lebanon’s internal affairs”.

The meeting between the President and the Russian Ambassador tackled the results of the visit of Foreign Affairs’ Minister, Abdullah Bou Habib, to Moscow, and the talks he held with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations between Lebanon and Russia.

For his side, the President had conveyed Ambassador Rudakov his greetings to President Putin, and thanked him for the quick response shown by handing over to Lebanon the aerial photos taken by Russian satellites before and after the Beirut Port blast on August 4, 2020. The President also pointed out that these photos will be placed at the disposal of forensic investigation, hoping that they will help in knowing new facts about this crime.

Finally, President Aoun commended the initiatives undertaken by Moscow to help Lebanon overcome the difficult circumstances it is going through.

MP Maalouf:

President Aoun met MP, Cesar Al-Maalouf, and addressed with him general affairs and a number of issues that concern Zahle and its region.

Developmental needs of Zahle and its surroundings were also tackled, including the rehabilitation of Masnaa-Dahr Al-Baydar road, before the onset of winter due to the importance of this road in connecting the Beqaa valley with other Lebanese regions.

MP Maalouf also indicated that the meeting discussed electricity issues and the necessity of providing diesel fuel, in addition to the high cost of living and the sufferings of Beqaa residents. -- Press office

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