Lebanese president: ‘Our people will not be pawned on to any other country’

7 years ago

BEIRUT, LEBANON: 13th President of Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a speech as people take part in a celebration to celebrate his appointment at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

BEIRUT, LEBANON: People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

BEIRUT, LEBANON: People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

BEIRUT, LEBANON: 13th President of Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a speech as people take part in a celebration to celebrate his appointment at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

In a speech he delivered before thousands of his countrymen who had gathered in front of the Republican Palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, to congratulate him for his presidency, Aoun added: “We will maintain our sovereignty and independence and we will not be pawned on to any other country.”

“This does not mean hostility, but frank friendship with these countries.”

“Political conflict undermined programmes related to basic needs such as electricity and infrastructure… The first thing we want to do is secure these needs as soon as possible and to invest in natural resources which enable us to stop external debts and help us prosper.”

Aoun also said: “We have to be opened to the Arab world… Corruption will be eradicated and the environment must be clean.”

“Today, we can stand proudly and defiantly before all people and countries because we have created our national unity and we will now begin the second journey, which is building the country. This is only achieved by national unity, which we want to reinforce more and more.”

He added: “The country needs a strong state to run it and this has to be built on a constitution respected by all politicians… The constitution will not be breached by anyone from now on. The nation must respect the law.”

He called on the security services to protect the people, noting that “people want their basic needs to be secured [water, electricity, infrastructure, etc…],” adding “that’s why we have reached the presidency carrying developmental projects”.

BEIRUT, LEBANON: People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

President of Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a speech on 6 November 2016 [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

BEIRUT, LEBANON: People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

BEIRUT, LEBANON – NOVEMBER 6: 13th President of Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a speech as people take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun elected as a President during the Parliamentary session, at at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on November 6, 2016. ( Ratib Al Safadi – Anadolu Agency )

BEIRUT, LEBANON: People take part in a celebration after Michel Aoun is appointed president at Baabda Palace in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016. [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]

President of Lebanon Michel Aoun delivers a speech in Beirut, Lebanon on 6 November 2016 [Ratib Al Safadi/Anadolu Agency]