President Michel Aoun on Friday asserted that the current situation has increased the proportion of destitution, and overburdened the Lebanese. “But our first concern now lies in achieving the food sufficiency of the Lebanese people in addition to security, especially since the demonstrations that took place at the beginning were democratic in demonstrating the peoples’ needs. However, foreign elements entered later on, filling demonstrations with riots, wearing the character of terrorism-specific teams. Our work integrates with what all the benevolent in Lebanon do, especially in terms of helping to support the foundations of decent living and defending the human being in order to remain able to provide food and continue working” the President said.
In addition, the President stressed that “We must accomplish this duty, and we will do it within the state’s capabilities, which are very limited now”.
Stances of President Aoun came during his reception, before noon today at Baabda Palace, the General Supervisor of Caritas Lebanon, Archbishop of Jbeil, Maronite Archbishop Michel Aoun, and Caritas President, Father Michel Abboud Al-Carmali, accompanied by members of the new Caritas Lebanon Board of Directors.
At the beginning of the meeting, Archbishop Aoun delivered a speech in which he thanked the President of the Republic for receiving the delegation, and said: “We loved to come to you, your Excellency, with the new Caritas Board of Directors, to bring to you the greeting of all the Caritas family, asking the Lord to grant you wisdom in order to lead the ship of the nation to safety, in the difficult circumstances we pass through”.
After Bishop Aoun introduced the members of the new board of directors to the President of the Republic, he added: “We would like to inform your Excellency of the Caritas message that you well know, especially amid these difficult circumstances facing our people, whether the health crisis caused by the spread of the Corona pandemic, or the stifling economic crisis that burdened the Lebanese people, and we hope, under the guidance of your Excellency, and the blessing of our churches, that Caritas be a luminous candle in the heart of the darkness that is increasing, day by day”.
Then, Father Abboud said “Caritas works with all those in need from the far North of Lebanon to the far South, Beirut and its regions. Our services reach every person in all regions and all sects without discrimination. The screams of children, the groaning of the afflicted and the hungry are the bell that calls us to go to every human being.
Caritas foreigners section, is concerned with refugees within the services provided by donors, so we serve our brothers the refugees in the homeland. Caritas cares for all families and every person who knocks our door”.
For his side, President Aoun welcomed the delegation, noting that Caritas is known for its services to all Lebanese without any discrimination, since its foundation, at the heart of the Lebanese war in 1976, and its work has remained sustainable in Lebanon. The President congratulated the new council on the appointment, as he wished full success in their three-year term, supporting all efforts made by Caritas in serving the human being, and citing the activities of its members and their deployment in various Lebanese regions.
Minister Shreim:
President Aoun met Displaced Minister, Ghada Shreim, today at Baabda, and discussed with her the Ministry’s work and the issue of rural development.
After the meeting, Minister Shreim spoke to reporters, and said that she had briefed the President on her ministry’s work and the activities carried out, during this period.
“The Ministry of the Displaced has published, through its website, lists of names that are entitled to collect its dues, in addition to that we have sent books to municipalities in various regions to provide the Ministry with real estate regulations which are still damaged, and that are within their regions and are considered as most urgent. This is to compare them with existing request at the Ministry, to re-inspect and perform a census of final costs, in order to be able to know the required amount for completion” Shreim said.
“In addition, we also discussed the methods and path of reactivating reconciliation of Brih town in Shouf, which we hope will soon reach its happy endings. As well as the reconciliation of Kfarselwan town, next to Al-Haouz, which we are working on, and I hope that the people will help us in implementing this reconciliation and also reaching happy conclusions, before closing the file of the permanently displaced, as we had promised” Minister Shreim continued.
Minister Shreim also indicated that she “Briefed His Excellency about the atmosphere of the conclusions reached by the Ministerial Committee concerning rural development, in what concerns its tourism, agricultural, industrial, educational and health importance, especially in light of the difficult economic situation, where rural development becomes a primary necessity. Unfortunately, we in Lebanon have neglected this development. The committee is active in this field, and we have formulated a strategy for development which is still under study, and we will soon announce practical steps, and we hope we will reach what is best for the rural population, the displaced, and Lebanon”.
And concerning the fate of return files, in light of the current harsh economic conditions, especially regarding funding sources, Shreim stated that “Currently, there are files whose dues are paid through the money in the fund, and we therefore adopt the most urgent plan, and we addressed requests to municipalities to provide us with the necessary information, about what is still affected by today’s date, and concerning what has been accomplished, we will later study its situation. Existing funds are sufficient for this matter, but of course a plan must be developed according to numbers and regulations that will be provided by municipalities, and we cooperate in this regard with the Finance Ministry. Our main goal is to close this file, as it is shameful after these years that this file remains unfinished. This file is supposed to be done with permanently, within a year from now”.
MP Farid Boustani:
President Michel Aoun received MP, Dr. Farid Boustany, today at Baabda Palace, and discussed with him needs of Shouf district.
Former Minister Mansour Bteish:
The President met former Minister, Mansour Bteish, and deliberated with him current financial and economic conditions.
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