President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, asserted the endeavor to form a government “So that Lebanon could negotiate with financial institutions that expressed their desire to help”, considering: “The Lebanese who are dispersed can help their homeland by establishing institutions in Lebanon, and creating job opportunities for the youth to reduce their desire for immigration, as a result of the current situation”.
The President also stressed the need to rebuild and develop sectors, as much as possible, “As we were able to develop the agricultural sector, which doubled production”.
Stances of the President came while receiving a delegation from the World Lebanese Cultural Union, headed by Head of the WLCU’s Administration Board, Mr. Abbas Fawaz, First Vice President, Mr. Jihad Al-Hashem, Vice Presidents, Mrs. Irene Al-Barakat Shami, in addition to Mr. Ali Al-Nisr, Jamil Rajeh, Mohammed Al Gozo, Assistant Secretary General, Mr. Bassam Haddad and Legal Adviser, Mr. Francois Al-Alam.
Also attending the meeting were Foreign Minister, Charbel Wehbe, Director General of the Lebanese Presidency, Dr. Antoine Choucair, and Advisers, Rafic Chelala and Osama Khachab.
Mr. Fawaz conveyed the greetings of Lebanese expatriates to the President “Who watches over the preservation of the Lebanese Republic”. Mr. Fawaz then addressed the unification of the League in the six continents and activating the tasks of its councils and branches despite Corona pandemic, expressing his hope that a general global conference will be held under the auspices of President Aoun, when it is convenient.
“The demolition and striking of state institutions means chaos, and this is what Lebanon doesn’t deserve. Therefore, we wish you Mr. President, and we are aware of your keenness on the state’s political, security economic and social institutions, to preserve these institutions” Fawaz added.
For his part, President Aoun welcomed the delegation and stressed that “The crises which Lebanon is witnessing have accumulated for thirty years”, stating in particular the governmental crisis and the great financial crisis which affected residents as well as members of the expatriate community.
The President also pointed out that “The financial crisis was affected by the results of the Syrian war after the closure of crossings, in addition to cutting communications with Arab countries, as well as the displacement of around 1 million and 850 thousand Syrians, which constituted a great burden on Lebanon”.
“In addition to all these crises, were Corona pandemic outbreak and the Beirut Port explosion. We are currently seeking to form a Government through which we can negotiate with financial institutions ready to help, especially since Lebanon is in dire need of help from these institutions and by its expatriates who are able to establish institutions and create opportunities, in addition to working for the Lebanese youth to reduce their desire to emigrate due to the current situation” President Aoun said.
“It is our great hope that the Lebanese diaspora will take this initiative to help. This will increase the attachment of residents to their homeland. We are also trying to rebuild and develop sectors as much as possible and we have finally been able to develop the agricultural sector, which has doubled its production” the President continued.
Moreover, President Aoun asserted the importance of working to strengthen the Unity of the League, hoping that the next Government and Foreign Affairs Ministry would be able to increase cooperation between the Lebanese diaspora. The President also stressed “The need to preserve this global homeland as Lebanese energies exist throughout continents”, referring to his keenness to represent the expatriate energies in the Parliament “Which is what we sought for”.
Finally, the President wished that the members of the delegation visit Lebanon periodically, “Which would strengthen connection between the Lebanese diaspora and their motherland”.
Source: Al-Manar Eglish Website