President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed on Wednesday that “structural reforms and the reconstruction of areas affected by Israeli bombardments are at the top of his political agenda.”
He also indicated that “efforts will continue to restore confidence between Lebanon and its citizens, and between the country and the international community.”
Aoun’s declarations came at the end of a meeting with the French President's envoy for Lebanon, Jean-Yves Le Drian, who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday to pursue his diplomatic efforts against a backdrop of continuing crisis.
During the meeting, Aoun said he was looking forward to travelling to Paris on Friday, where he will meet his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, to discuss common interests and ways of strengthening Franco-Lebanese relations on more than one level, as well as to thank him for his support and his role in unblocking the presidential elections.
President Aoun also reiterated his commitment and that of the government to overcome the obstacles hindering economic, banking, financial and judicial reforms, in consultation with the parties concerned. Additionally, he pointed out that discussions with the International Monetary Fund had already begun.
Security Tensions and Israeli Violations
The talks also focused on the security situation in the south of the country. The Lebanese President denounced the continuing Israeli attacks, in violation of the agreement reached last November, as well as the occupation of five Lebanese hills and the detention of Lebanese prisoners by Israel. He urged the guarantors of the agreement to exert pressure on Tel Aviv in order to ensure compliance with the commitments made and restore stability to the region.
Meetings with Other Lebanese Leaders
Le Drian also held talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Rajji and Speaker of the House Nabih Berri.
The French envoy’s visit is part of France's ongoing efforts to support Lebanon in its political and economic challenges, at a time when the country is going through a major institutional crisis. Paris, which plays the role of mediator in the Lebanese crisis, is trying to relaunch dialogue between the various political forces, in the hope of breaking the institutional and economic deadlock ahead of a government session on Thursday to finalize key administrative appointments, including that of the governor of the Central Bank.
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