President
Aoun: “Lebanon is willing to resume indirect negotiations with Israel, in order
to demarcate southern maritime borders”.
President
Aoun: “Parliamentary elections will take place on time, freely, transparently
and democratically”.
Nuland:
“We stand by Lebanon, and we are ready to work with the international community
and financial funds to provide required support, and continue to support the
Lebanese Army”.
President of
the Republic, General Michel Aoun, received US Assistant Secretary of State for
Political Affairs, Ambassador Victoria Nuland, today at the Presidential
Palace.
The President
told Ambassador Nuland, that “The new government will conduct negotiations with
the International Monetary Fund in order to assist Lebanon in economic
recovery, in conjunction with carrying out reforms and launching the
reconstruction of Beirut Port, accompanied by attention to energy security,
management development and necessary reform laws”.
The President
also asserted that “Parliamentary elections will take place on time, freely,
transparently and democratically”, and pointed to the need to help Lebanon face
the difficult economic and social conditions which the country is passing
through, “Which is reflected in the living conditions of citizens and affected
the national currency rate”.
Moreover,
President Aoun emphasized that securing electric power is a priority, in
conjunction with the rehabilitation of the Port, “Which is the main artery of
the national economy”.
In addition,
the President presented the reasons which led Lebanon to this difficult
economic and financial situation, especially the Syrian war and the siege
imposed on Lebanon as a result of border closure, accompanied by the
displacement of more than 1.5 million Syrian refugees, as well as the spread of
Corona pandemic and the Beirut Port explosion. President Aoun indicated that
all these negative factors combined, negatively affected the Lebanese situation
and the living condition of the Lebanese people.
Afterwards, the
President informed Nuland that “Lebanon is willing to resume indirect
negotiations with Israel in order to demarcate southern maritime borders to
complete the process of oil and gas exploration in its territorial waters,
given the importance of this in achieving Lebanon’s economic advancement”.
President Aoun
concluded reiterating Lebanon’s thanks for US assistance to the Army and
security apparatuses, in addition to the successive social assistance.
For her side,
Ambassador Nuland conveyed the greetings of US President, Joe Biden, and
Foreign Minister, Anthony Blinken, to President Aoun, in addition to their congratulations
for forming the new government. Nuland also stressed that the US stands by
Lebanon to help face the current economic, social and living challenges,
pointing out that “After the formation of the new government, Washington hopes
that work will be done to achieve reforms and hold parliamentary elections”.
Moreover,
Ambassador Nuland stressed US readiness to work, with the international
community and financial funds, especially the IMF, to provide the required
support to Lebanon and continuous support for the Lebanese Army.