President Aoun: “Lebanon heavily relies on the US mediating role to reach just solutions during the negotiations for Southern maritime border demarcation”.
President Aoun: “Work is ongoing for the establishment of a clean Government which focuses on achieving necessary reforms and forensic audit is an essential step for restoration of the state’s rights and reviving the economy”.
Schenker wished that negotiations be completed as soon as possible and to reach positive results.
Schenker: “We acknowledge the positive role which President Aoun plays in fighting corruption and changing the approach that prevailed”.
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun met US Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs, David Schenker, today at the Presidential Palace.
The President informed Schenker that Lebanon “Heavily relies on the US mediating role to reach just solutions during the negotiations which began a few days ago to demarcate the southern maritime borders”, considering that “This role can help overcome difficulties which may hinder the negotiation process”.
President Aoun also thanked the United States of America for the support provided to Lebanon after the ordeal resulting from the Beirut Port explosion, and the aid sent to the affected.
In addition, President Aoun assured Schenker that work is ongoing to establish a clean Government which focuses on achieving necessary reforms to advance the country from the deteriorating economic and financial conditions it passes through, stressing the importance of forensic audit in Central Bank accounts, which is considered an essential step in the reform process and restoring the state’s rights, and rise of the Lebanese economy.
The President also tackled the issue of displaced Syrians and its negative repercussions on all public sectors, hoping that the US would facilitate the return of these people to their countries, “Which has become safe and stable in most of its areas”.
For his side, Ambassador Schenker asserted the continuation of the facilitating and mediating role which his country plays in negotiations of the demarcation of Lebanese southern maritime borders, hoping to work to complete these negotiations as soon as possible and reach positive results.
Ambassador Schenker also praised the positive role which President Aoun plays in leading the fight against corruption and changing the approach that prevailed in the past, considering that reforms in Lebanon are essential, especially since there is no difference between politics and the economy. Then, Ambassador Schenker expressed hope that a productive Government would be formed to achieve the necessary economic reforms.
The meeting was attended by US Ambassador to Beirut, Dorothy Shea and Mr. Logan Brogue on the US side, and on the Lebanese side by former Minister, Salim Jreisatti, Director General of the Lebanese Presidency, Dr. Antoine Choucair, and Advisor, Osama Khachab.