President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, met on Saturday with the Higher Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and the Vice-President of the European Union, Josep Borrell, at Baabda Palace and informed him of the government formation process, stressing the distinctive Lebanese situation.

The President thanked Mr. Borrell for the European Union's interest in Lebanon and the aid presented during the difficult times covering of the Beirut port explosion and the crises that burden the Lebanese people, such as the Syrian displacement and Corona pandemic.

In addition, President Aoun asked Mr. Borrell to continue providing aid to Lebanon, pointing to the importance Europe's assistance in recovering the smuggled money to European banks. President Aoun then stressed the importance of conducting forensic financial audit despite the obstacles placed to hinder the work to combat corruption, which is backed by a system that includes officials, politicians, economists, financiers and businessmen.

"The forensic financial audit is the first step required in the rescue initiatives and aid programs from the concerned countries and international bodies, without it reforms and the restoration of external confidence in the Lebanese financial reality cannot be achieved" the President indicated.

Then, President Aoun emphasized that "Lebanon welcomes any support provided by the European Union in the formation of the new government, which must be credible and capable of carrying out reforms based on constitutional principles, traditions and practices that have emerged for years which we want to be based on the foundations of national reconciliation".

Afterwards, President Aoun pointed out that the support Lebanon seeks from the international community is not only in the humanitarian field, but also in development, reiterating Lebanon's call for the return of displaced Syrians to their country, especially after the stable and secure situation in most of the Syrian territories, because Lebanon is no longer able to bear the repercussions of this displacement in all sectors.

For his part, Mr. Borrell assured President Aoun during the meeting, which was attended by a delegation that included members of the Commission and the European Mission in Lebanon, of the continued support of the European Union, focusing on the importance of forming a new government and launching talks with the International Monetary Fund, which would achieve the flow of European aid to support the Lebanese economy.