Rahi Says His Meeting with Aoun Was 'Reassuring'

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi said “things are turning for the better” in the country and that his talks with President Michel are very “reassuring.”

“Things are turning for the better and we must all cooperate with each other. What I heard from the President was very reassuring,” said Rahi after meeting Aoun at the Presidential Palace.

Referring to the electricity plan approved after years of wrangling between parties, Rahi said: “I congratulated the President on the approval of the plan and he also assured us that the state budget will be approved next week.”

On the austerity measures adopted by the government, the Patriarch said: “Austerity must not mean stripping people of their rights. It means an end to squandering, and guidance to spending,”noting that the fight against corruption has started.

On the file of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Rahi said that Aoun and the Russian President Vladimir Putin are “in accordance over their repatriation.”