​President of the Republic: We are working  for addressing the difficult economic conditions during the new year. We seek an effective Government, and hope that its formation will not be delayed longer.

Minister Abdel Samad from Baabda: I proposed the establishment of an annual prize to commemorate the martyrs of the port explosion. Lockdown in the country is linked to the outcomes of New Year’s Eve.

President Aoun met with the delegation of the indirect maritime negotiations to prepare the Lebanese steps in preparation for resuming negotiations.

Former MP Emile Rahme called for addressing the security situation, considering that the time today is for the judiciary.

The President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, called on the Lebanese people to face the challenges that Lebanon welcomes in the New Year, with will and determination , because by doing this, appropriate atmosphere can be created to overcome these challenges, especially the Corona pandemic, which requires all of us to be aware of dealing with it realistically and adhering to all the measures that it takes to limit its spread.

 President Aoun affirmed that the new year would bring about a solution to the difficult economic situation that Lebanon is going through, especially after the explosion of Beirut port, considering that this requires the existence of an effective government, and it is hoped that its formation will not be delayed any longer.

Minister of Information:

President Aoun received the Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad, at Baabda Palace, and discussed with her the media situation in the country. 

After the meeting, Minister Abdel Samad told Journalists:

“I visited His Excellency the President to congratulate him on the holidays, and presented the bitter reality that the media is experiencing today, and the proposals to improve the situation, especially since the media is just a mirror of our reality and reflects what is happening, and if we want to change this reality, we should not break the mirror, but rather improve conditions.  I proposed to the President of the Republic the establishment of the Beirut Humanitarian Prize, to be launched periodically on August 4 of each year, in memory of the martyrs of the explosion in the port of Beirut. The aim of it is to support initiatives and actions that promote humanity and to reject hatred, violence.”

She added: “We also touched on the issues of the Ministry of Information and its current role in light of the crises and the media plans set, and there were a number of wishes and recommendations hoping to rise and start the new year under an effective government capable of managing matters, especially emergency ones, in order to find solutions as soon as possible. Hope everyone has a glorious holiday away from the Corona epidemic, free of diseases, full of hope, optimism, achievements, and a new Government”.

Questions & Answers:

Question: The number of Corona cases is increasing.  Is there a tendency to lock down the country again?

Answer: “Closure is linked to the decision of the Preventive Measures Committee, which in turn awaits the results of the New Year's Eve, and if these results are similar to what happened on the Christmas Eve, which was disastrous, then any decision can be taken in a way that serves control of matters and observance of public safety”.

Negotiating Delegation:

President Aoun chaired a meeting that included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Charbel Wehbe, the head of the indirect negotiations delegation to demarcate the southern maritime borders, Brigadier General Pilot Bassam Yassin, and the members of the delegation: Brigadier General Mazen Basbous, a member of the Petroleum Sector Administration Board, Engineer Wissam Shabab, and expert Dr. Najeb Masih.

During the meeting, the discussion focused on steps that Lebanon would take in preparation for the resumption of negotiations in the coming dates.

Former MP Emile Rahme:

President Aoun, met with head of the Solidarity party, former MP Emile Rahme, and discussed with him the current situation. 

Former MP Rahme said that the current circumstances require solidarity and cooperation as there is no point in the disputes, especially with regard to the formation of the new government that is supposed to be able to face the challenges that Lebanon is going through, and this means that it should be a government with fair and balanced representation among all the Lebanese components, and includes personalities known for their experience, efficiency and familiarity with national affairs, in order to be able to achieve a qualitative leap in the work of the executive authority.

Rahme raised with President Aoun the turbulent security situation in the Baalbek-Hermel region and the need to address them quickly so that the security chaos does not continue, calling for the acceleration of uncovering the assassination of the young man Joe Bejjani in Kahala and other crimes, considering that the authorities have time, and today is the time of the judicial authority.

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