Aoun Says Protests Legitimate, Asks Salameh to Explain Lira Collapse

W460

President Michel Aoun on Wednesday described the protests that engulfed all Lebanese regions on Tuesday as legitimate, as he asked Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh to explain why the Lebanese pound has hit an all-time low against the dollar.

“The president of the republic, General Michel Aoun, has been following with great concern the protests that have been rocking some Lebanese regions since yesterday evening, after the U.S. dollar exchange rate reached LBP 10,000,” the Presidency said in a statement.

“In this regard, President Aoun asked Central Bank Governor Riad Salameh in a meeting this morning at the Baabda Palace to identify the reasons that led to the rise of the dollar exchange rate to such levels, especially during the past few days,” the Presidency added.

Aoun also called on Salameh to “inform the Lebanese of the outcome of the investigation that is being conducted by the Special Investigation Commission for the sake of transparency.”

He also asked him to “refer these results to the public prosecution so that the culprits can be prosecuted should it be proven that there was illegal manipulation of the national currency by individuals, institutions or banks.”

Moreover, the president asked Salameh about the course of the forensic audit requested by the government, after the Alvarez and Marsal firm “told the Finance Ministry that it has not provided it with sufficient answers to the questions it had submitted to the central bank as a precondition to enable it to perform its missions.”

“He emphasized that this audit must be conducted, after the elimination of all reasons and claims that have delayed it,” the Presidency added.

Aoun also underlined that “the main concern remains the recovery of the funds of depositors and the rights of the people, which cannot be wasted through illegal transactions or suspicious transfers abroad.”

Commenting on the protests, the president said “these practices are what led to the loss of a large part of the deposits, which caused a financial and social crisis that pushed the people to rightfully raise their voices and take to the streets.”

“This is a legitimate thing, because any human cannot tolerate to remain silent over his rights or to stand idly by as his money is being stolen,” Aoun told Salameh.

He also stressed that “the right to protest is sacred,” while noting that “security forces have a duty to protect protesters, public and private property, and the people’s right to movement.”

“These rights are enshrined in the constitution,” he said.

SourceNaharnet
Comments 9
Thumb barrymore 03 March 2021, 17:14

President Aoun described the protests over the lira collapse as "legitimate" and asked Salameh in a meeting to unveil the reasons behind it, the Presidency said.

lol... he does not know the reasons behind it. I guess living in his ivory tower with maids, assistants, tens of useless advisors, and unlimited budget makes him out of touch with reality.

Thumb bronco 03 March 2021, 17:23

so now that protesters are from Dahieh as well it makes the protest ligit,, but for the last year and a half it wasn't.
well done "bay l kil", now go back to sleep

Thumb EagleDawn 03 March 2021, 17:52

٨٦ سنة كرامة و عزة و شموخ
٨٦ سنة وطنية و تحدي و صمود
٨٦ سنة نضال و محاربة و مقاومة
ينعاد عليك يا جبل شامخ بوج الريح
ينعاد عليك يا أجمل حلم نزرع فينا لنبقى مكملين
معك مبارح ، اليوم و بكرا و حتى الرمق الأخير
بحبك تتخلص الدني....
"الكرامة لا تشيخ"... لأنك كرامتنا"

Thumb i.report 03 March 2021, 18:50

He’s been stuck on 86 for many years now.... he’s most likely 90 or plus.

Thumb EagleDawn 03 March 2021, 17:53

“بتبقى انت الحلم، والحلم ما بيشيخ”
الله يحميك
بي الكل

A fearless man - A real leader - A true statesman.

Thumb justin 03 March 2021, 18:01

He has been president for almost 5 years and he still has no clue.

Thumb warrior 04 March 2021, 04:30

Yeah, it is all news to him.

Thumb enterprise 04 March 2021, 08:49

This pos has no authority to call Salameh or anyone for that matter and question him. This is the responsibility of the government. He acts and always acted as a dictator. He and what he represents are a political virus for whom there is no vaccine.

Thumb ashtah 04 March 2021, 10:30

عون يختزل السلطة ويلغي دور المؤسسات ببدع غير دستورية

ما عاد مستغربا اعتداء فريق رئيس الجمهورية على ابسط القواعد الدستورية وضرب منطق المؤسسات، بل التبجح من جديد بالمواد الدستورية المنوطة بصلاحيات رئاسة الجمهورية من اجل تكريس نظام رئاسي يخالف كل النصوص والاعراف القائمة حتى الآن.

لكن، ينبغي التوقف مليا أمام المخاطر المحدقة على ما تبقى من ديموقراطية في النظام اللبناني، فما تابعه اللبنانيون عن نتائج اجتماع رئيس الجمهورية مع حاكم مصرف لبنان شطب بشحطة قلم إتفاق الطائف، كما الغى السلطة التنفيذية بالكامل، بل اوحى بنهج استبدادي غير مسبوق.
فضلا عن ذلك، يحاول الرئيس عون القفز فوق تشكيل الحكومة والتفرد في تسيير شؤون الدولة عبر الأيحاء بتكوين مجلس رئاسي مصغر عبارة عن مجموعة من المستشارين ورهن مصير البلاد والعباد بشخصه، وهذا، بالحد الأدنى، ارتكاب لمخالفات بالجملة ترتقي الى حد الجرم بحق منطق الدولة والمؤسسات، وهو امر لم يمر على لبنان منذ تأسيسه وحتى الآن.
https://www.lebanon24.com/news/lebanon/799504/عون-يختزل-السلطة-ويلغي-دور-المؤسسات-ببدع-غير-دستور