Lebanese President Michel Aoun stressed on Friday that addressing the country’s economic and financial situation will be one of the new government’s top priorities.
During a meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jan Kubis at Baabda Palace, Aoun said one of the most important battles, which the cabinet will fight, is the war on corruption.
The President assured the UN coordinator that Lebanese officials have been discussing with the International Monetary Fund delegation the appropriate measures to resolve the financial and economic crises.
Aoun said any move by the government would aim to protect the treasury while preserving the rights of Lebanese citizens.
He also expressed hope that the Syrian refugee crisis would be mentioned in the UN Secretary-General’s report on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.
The Council will be briefed on the report at a session in early March.
The President stressed that there was ongoing stability is south Lebanon, despite recent developments in Syria and Iraq.
Kubis congratulated Aoun on forming the new government.
He also affirmed the UN support for the reforms, which the cabinet intends to take, indicating that he would report the reality of Resolution 1701 to the Security Council. Kubis also said that he would visit numerous countries concerned with the Lebanese situation.
This week, sources said Lebanon would invite eight firms to bid to be its financial adviser as it studies all options on its sovereign debt.
The government is under growing pressure to decide on how to deal with fast-approaching debt payments, including a $1.2 billion Eurobond due on March 9.
