Prime Minister Saad Hariri has said that Lebanon is safe from security turmoil and that all political leaders agree on preventing internal instability.
In remarks to a delegation of traders who visited him at the Center House in Beirut, Hariri stressed on Wednesday the importance of political and security stability to achieve economic prosperity.
He said the government intends to take a number of steps in this regard, including opening up to the world, from the Arab countries to Europe, Africa, America and even China, adopting the policy of open skies and allowing citizens from certain countries to enter Lebanon without a visa.
Referring to the Paris 4 donor conference set for April 6, Hariri said: "We are excited about the Ceder conference.”
“The government prepared a series of development projects to be presented at the conference, in the fields of electricity, water, telecommunications, roads, public transportation, airport and other projects that benefit the country, provide jobs opportunities for the youth and create economic growth."
"People are thirsty for change,” Hariri told his visitors.
So “the lists of the Future movement in the coming elections will include a special representation of youth and women.”
“But our electoral alliances are still under discussion, and we will do what is in the interest of our people, the Future movement and the areas we represent, regardless of our political alliances,” Hariri added.
Hariri pointed out that the budget of 2018 carries a lot of incentives for different sectors, and no new taxes.
On the same issue, Speaker Nabih Berri reiterated on Wednesday the importance of the cabinet’s adoption of the state budget and its swift referral to the parliament for approval.
He warned that international donor conferences would be severely impacted if the legislature fails to approve the budget by March 5.
