The Information Office of the Lebanese Presidency issued the following statement on Thursday:

Political and media entities resort to claiming that the Presidency of the Republic "dominates" the authorities of the Council of Ministers, and attributes to his Excellency, the President, practices which claim to violate the constitution, and transform the current system into a "Presidential Rule", by suggesting "confiscation" of the Prime Minister's role.

Facing these persisting allegations, the Information Office of the Lebanese Presidency is concerned to confirm the following:

First: His Excellency, the President of the Republic, is obligated, exclusively, according to the constitutional oath, to preserve the constitution and exercise roles according to constitutional texts, which he has never violated. It is preferable for those who claim the opposite to prove through fact and documents when, how and where the violation occurred, instead of continuing to file accusations. Let those be reassured that the President is determined to fully exercise his full powers within his constitutional jurisdiction, no more and no less. It seems that this determination is what disturbs those who always look behind Taif to violate the President's authority.

Second: The claim that the Council of Ministers is "completely inactive in performing its role" is false, as evidence that the Council exercises its role in accordance with the specific assigned powers, no more and no less. It is sufficient to return to its decisions and some of its deliberations to make sure that what is said otherwise is purely false and aims to cover the slow pace in dealing with issues which fall within the Council's authority, in addition to other goals which are no longer hidden.

Third: As for always resorting to the "coup against the Taif", it reveals the weakening of arguments reported by authors of this statement, especially since the President adheres to this document to protect partnership and patriotism which are the essence of our system, and the uniqueness of our being. As for the voices claiming "the coup against Taif", their transmitters take what suits them from Taif agreement, and ignore what doesn't. So they exercise a clear selectivity to harness the national principles that the Lebanese agreed upon in a way which serves their own interests.

The Information Office of the Lebanese Presidency places these facts once again in front of the public opinion, and reaffirms that the continuation of making allegations has become an open policy of goals and objectives. In any case, it no longer fools the Lebanese, who yearn to cooperate with authorities to get out of the harsh conditions which their country is going through. The first and most important step is to unify stances to restore stability to political life, and this can only be secured by respecting the Charter, the constitution and laws, and to stop violating them, whenever critics see that their interest lies in insulting the homeland, and constitutional institutions.