On a visit to Lebanon since Monday, UAE Federal National Council President Saqr Ghobash hailed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's “clear and responsible positions,” underlining the Emirates' confidence in Lebanon's ability to regain its regional role. During his meeting with Salam at the Grand Serail on Thursday, he congratulated Lebanon on the reforms undertaken in record time and the security measures taken, seeing them as an encouraging signal of openness for the return of Emirati nationals.
For his part, the Lebanese Prime Minister affirmed that Lebanon had embarked on a new course two months earlier, with the main objectives of rebuilding the State and implementing far-reaching economic, financial, administrative, and political reforms.
He also underlined the government's determination to rebuild trust, particularly with Arab countries, before saluting the historic relations between Lebanon and the Emirates, thanking the latter for their constant support and for welcoming hundreds of thousands of Lebanese.
The Prime Minister also spoke of the forthcoming adoption of a reform plan, expressing optimism about the progress made. In particular, he emphasized the importance of lifting banking secrecy through a law currently in the works, which he saw as essential to credible financial reform. He also announced that a law on judicial independence would soon be adopted to boost investor confidence and combat the informal economy.
Reiterating the State's commitment to security and stability, the Prime Minister declared that the extension of national sovereignty over all Lebanese territory was a “sovereign decision” essential to the country's recovery. He also expressed the hope that Emirati citizens would soon return to Lebanon, assuring that measures had been taken to reinforce security, notably at the airport and on the roads leading to it.
Addressing the issue of Syria, Salam called for stability in the neighboring country, underlining the benefits that a return to normalcy could bring to the entire region. He called for lifting the international sanctions against Damascus, believing that such a move would facilitate the return of displaced Syrians and pave the way for economic and commercial opportunities for Lebanon, particularly in the oil, gas, and transit sectors.
Comments