Aoun: “Reform begins from within… Lebanon’s real crisis is one of governance and trust”

President Joseph Aoun before the General Assembly of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council:

Reform begins from within, not from outside. Lebanon is rich in its human potential, both at home and abroad, and it is of utmost importance to activate these capabilities and provide them with the appropriate opportunities.

The current crisis cannot be summed up as merely an economic crisis; rather, it is a crisis of trust between the state and the people, and between Lebanon and the outside world. Given the institutional and individual capacities you represent, you form the bridge for rebuilding this trust. We are counting on you in this regard and support you in your duties, based on the importance of activating your role in this context alongside your other responsibilities.

You must play your role even in the laws issued by Parliament. Do not be lax about it, and do not allow anyone to take your place.

I hope the current crisis will come to an end, along with the suffering of the Lebanese, especially our people in the south, so that Lebanon can be put back on track.

Even if all the wealth in the world were found in our land, without sound will there would be no possibility of investing in it. There is no such thing as a bankrupt, rich, or poor country; rather, there is a country whose resources have been mismanaged by the state, and that is the Lebanese reality.

I am continuing my efforts to reopen Arab markets, especially Gulf markets, to Lebanese products, and we are also working to restore confidence that was shaken by several factors in the past period.