"Encourage those to restore their Lebanese citizenship..." President Aoun

PRESIDENT Tells Expatriate Maronite Bishops: Country has Been Through Rough Patch, Needs Time to Rise Back up

18 Jun 2019

Lebanon - President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, welcomed Secretary General of the Tashnag Party, MP Hagop Pakradounian, with whom he tackled the work of the Committee on Finance and Budget in the study of the draft budget 2019, in addition to regional issues and the demands of the Lebanese Armenians.

President Aoun also met a delegation of Lebanese Maronite bishops living abroad. The bishops conveyed to their host the greetings of the Lebanese communities in their countries of residence, uttering their love for their motherland and their appreciation for the role played by Aoun in leading the country safe to shore.

They also conveyed the concerns of the Lebanese Diaspora and their desire to be in constant contact with Lebanon and to contribute to its rise and stability.

The Head of State wished that "the Lebanese Church and its branches in foreign countries, especially in Latin America where the largest proportion of Lebanese emigrants resides, to encourage those to restore their Lebanese citizenship, even if they do not return to Lebanon, because this will facilitate their communication with residents in Lebanon. Securing direct flights between Beirut and Madrid is meant to facilitate the transition between Lebanon and South American countries."

Aoun then talked about the current Lebanese situation, reassuring the bishops that Lebanon has overcome a very difficult phase, inflicted by the wars in the region and the terrorism that generated from these wars.

"We have succeeded in defeating the terrorists (...) and here we are enjoying security stability that is becoming very uncommon in the world. Politically, we may have our differences, but we all agree on the love of the homeland," he said.

"In terms of the economic situation, a heavy burden has been passed on to us and are starting to make fundamental changes so as to improve the economy. We have drawn up plans, but the journey is long and needs time. Stability has helped us promote tourism, and we are working to reactivate the industry. The task is difficult, that is for certain, but it will be done. The Lebanese are worried because of the trust issue they had with the previous governments. We are working on filling that gap, which is not easy, and we hope that the situation will improve day by day," Aoun went on to say.

The President finally stressed that "the battle of corruption is ongoing and will not stop."

"Lebanon welcomes all companies from all over the world to take part in tenders for oil and gas exploration," he said in response to a question.