Aoun Renews Call for 'Separating Foreign Political Choices' from Domestic Situation

إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية W460

President Michel Aoun on Friday reiterated his call for “separating the foreign political choices” of the Lebanese parties from the domestic situation.

“In the last (national) dialogue session that I participated in, and after a political debate erupted over the Middle East issues... I called for separating the foreign political choices from the Lebanese situation,” Aoun told a delegation from the Economic Committees, a grouping of the country's leading businessmen and owners of major firms.

“I told them let us build Lebanon and I believe that the idea has worked today,” Aoun added.

The newly-elected president reassured the delegation that “there are good promises, especially regarding the summer tourism season.”

“I have received congratulatory phone calls from all Arab countries and I invited them to visit Lebanon while reassuring them over security and stability. They all made good promises and I hope that will materialize,” Aoun added.

“Economic issues can materialize gradually and they need time. The security situation will improve, and when things calm down in the region around us, Lebanon will return to be a center of attraction,” the president said.

Aoun's election and Saad Hariri's appointment as PM-designate have raised hopes that Lebanon can begin tackling challenges including a stagnant economy, a moribund political class and the influx of more than a million Syrian refugees.

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."

Comments 6
Thumb barrymore 11 November 2016, 17:03

President Michel Aoun on Friday reiterated his call for “separating the foreign political choices” of the Lebanese parties from the domestic situation.

Surely he is not hinting at his ally the party of hate and terror aka hezbollah.

Default-user-icon Basil (Guest) 11 November 2016, 17:16

As a dual citizen, having to accept Aoun and Trump as "my" president in the space of 10 days qualifies as cruel and inhuman punishment.

Thumb enterprise 11 November 2016, 18:21

بالفيديو: اضحك مع وزير الأسد وهو يتحدث عن رغبة ترمب

https://vid.alarabiya.net/2016/11/10/asad1011/asad1011___asad1011_video.mp4?versionId=Y6B3u_rnvbqythtwBhj_9Hl3NSBcW_wP

Thumb ado.australia 11 November 2016, 18:51

Texas are u asking this as a Lebanese or an ambassador of the gulf countries? Tooz to the gulf arabs... don't come to Lebanon if u think that Lebanon is only your playground for Ukrainian girls and alcohol fueled weekends... everyone already said that Lebanon's economy was over without these desert bedouins! We are much more then their party destination! President Aoun and PM Hariri will hopefully return Lebanon to our true position in the world. Tourism, banking, business and freedom is Lebanon! Reinforcment of these basic principles and Lebanon will flourish!

Thumb Southern...... 11 November 2016, 20:11

Aoun is asking while you're acting as their spokesman by stating an imaginary scenery and lies....even you don't understand what you write, pity of you.

Thumb Hayek.Feghali.Abdelatif 12 November 2016, 02:35

Aoun Calls for 'Separating Foreign Political Choices' from Domestic Situation

Separation impossible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWjgln7EBU0