Aoun Vows to Unite Lebanese over 'Unified Foreign Policy'
President Michel Aoun pledged Friday that he will seek to “unite the Lebanese over a unified foreign policy.”
“Uniting the Lebanese over a national domestic policy will be followed by uniting them over a unified foreign policy, after resolving all the complications that have prevented this until the moment,” Aoun told a delegation from the International Support Group for Lebanon (ISG).
The delegation comprised U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag and the ambassadors of the Arab League, China, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“All components of the Lebanese people have agreed on endorsing the oath of office, which the president will commit himself to its implementation during his presidential tenure,” Aoun added.
He stressed that “the implementation of the laws is the only criterion that will govern the State's course,” noting that “the priority during the coming period will be the approval of a new electoral law in order to hold the May parliamentary polls on time.”
“Lebanon will enter a new phase during which political stability will be boosted through respecting the National Pact, the constitution, the laws and national partnership,” Aoun told the delegation.
Aoun was elected president on Monday after he received key support for his presidential bid from al-Mustaqbal Movement leader Saad Hariri, which ended two and a half years of presidential vacuum.
Analysts have warned that Aoun's election will not be a "magic wand" for Lebanon, which has seen longstanding political divisions exacerbated by the war in neighboring Syria and has struggled to deal with an influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.
In addition to pledges of economic growth and security, Aoun said in his oath of office that Lebanon must work to ensure Syrian refugees "can return quickly" to their country.
Aoun also pledged to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region."
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