Aoun Vows to 'Eradicate Corruption', Urges Fast Govt. Formation
President Michel Aoun on Wednesday called on all parties to “facilitate” the formation of the new government as he promised Lebanese citizens that steps will be taken to “eradicate” the rampant corruption in the country.
“There are a lot of domestic and external challenges ahead and we can only confront them through our unity and solidarity and by giving the priority to the national interest,” Aoun said at the annual iftar banquet in Baabda, which brings together the country's top leaders and officials every year.
“We must seal all the possible gaps through which the winds of violence and disturbances could leak from abroad into the country,” the president added, warning against disunity and “conflicting visions and interests.”
With the election of a new parliament and Speaker, Aoun said that the next step is to "form a national unity government that can confront the challenges, a government that can deal with the regional and international situation while preserving domestic stability."
The president added that the new government should also "carry on with reforms as it seeks to combat corruption, modernize state administrations" and "implement an economic plan that can lead to the country's growth and rise."
"Everyone is asked to facilitate the formation of the new government, seeing as the pressing situation does not allow any waste of time. The standards of the formation process are well-known and we only have to abide by them and implement them," Aoun went on to say.
He cautioned that "the most important challenge is the economic situation that has deterioated due to accumulations and continous crises that have been running for decades and that have been aggravated by the repercussions of the global economic crisis and the wars in the region."
Aoun warned that “any economic plan will not fully succeed if we do not devise practical solutions to resolve the growing Syrian refugee crisis.”
The president also said that he "promises all Lebanese" that the State will take "decisive steps to eradicate corruption" before next Ramadan.
Aoun's speech comes on the eve of binding parliamentary consultations to name a new premier in which caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri is expected to be re-appointed to his post.
almost 6 years
The President is 84 years old
The Speaker is 81 years old
The Deputy Speaker is 78 years old
what is this? The Geriatrics Republic?
almost 6 years
For someone who has his daughters as presidential advisors, his son-in-law as a permanent fixture in every cabinet, his nephew an MP, his other son-in-law an MP ... talking about eradicating corruption sounds more like a joke.
almost 6 years
The standards of the formation process are well-known and we only have to abide by them and implement them.
That's a refreshing change Mr president but why didn't you respect the standards of the formation process before, "La 3youn Gebran".
almost 6 years
How about the 'woman' who went on a tirade at the airport and insulted the police and acted as if she owned Lebanon?! Is she not related to Aoun?
وبالرغم من اهانتها عناصر قوى الأمن وعدم احترام القانون، إلا ان العناصر تابعوا عملهم بكل حرفية محافظين على سلوكهم الانضباطي. وإزاء مخالفتها في ركن سيارتها، جرى تسطير محضر بحقها من دون ان يتمّ توقيفها. لم نشأ إثارة الموضوع أكثر، واكتفينا بتسطير محضر مخالفة. أما بالنسبة الى القول إنها تحظى بواسطة ودعم كبير، فهذا كلام غير دقيق. كما انها ليست شقيقة أحد المراجع السياسية المعروفة، وانما هي من عائلة عون".
almost 6 years
I showed the video of this woman to my colleagues in the office:) They said if she was in the States she would be shot by the police. Now it is clear she is from the Aoun family and since they 'own' Lebanon so it is ok; she can do what she pleases.
almost 6 years
When this deranged kleptocratic talks about 'reform', fighting 'corruption', 'Christian' rights, dissociation policy, etc it's like the Mexican drug cartel vowing to fight drugs.
almost 6 years
Only the radical fanatical mullahs running Iran can disarm Hizbo. No defense strategy, no endless meetings, no ba'bda declaration, no nothing. The head of the snake must be cut and we all know who that is. Once that's done, Hizbo will no only lay their arms but cease to exist. After they were created by the very same snake that needs it's head cut off.
I have the utmost respect and deepest appreciation for general aoun who is now president and imam for "promising all Lebanese" that the State will take "decisive steps to eradicate corruption" before next Ramadan.