President Joseph Aoun held a series of meetings at Baabda Palace, which dealt with the economic and social conditions and the needs of a number of regions, in addition to Lebanon’s presence in international aesthetic forums.
In this context, President Aoun received the Chairman of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, Dr. Charles Arbid, who handed him a memorandum that dealt with living pressures and ways to strengthen social stability. During the meeting, Arbid stressed that developments in social reality have reached a stage of danger that now competes with the security and strategic risks that threaten the country.
The memorandum indicated that political stability is an essential lever for economic and social stability, stressing that achieving sustainable social stability requires a productive economy. It proposed launching a fair national social and economic dialogue that brings together the state, political forces, the Economic, Social and Environmental Council, in addition to the economic, labor and social forces. With the aim of developing specific and fundable measures, accompanied by a political climate that contributes to restoring confidence and making the recovery path successful. The memorandum also included proposals to monitor the cost of living and purchasing power, and protect the most affected groups by strengthening social safety networks, reducing the cost of basic services, as well as stimulating the economy and production.
Also at Baabda Palace, President Aoun – in the presence of Tourism Minister Laura El Khazen Lahoud – received Miss Lebanon Perla Harb, accompanied by her father Ghazi Harb, on the occasion of her return from Vietnam following her participation in the Miss World contest. Harb expressed her happiness to represent Lebanon in international forums despite the difficult circumstances, declaring her readiness to participate soon in the Miss Universe contest in Puerto Rico.
President Aoun congratulated Miss Lebanon, wishing her success in highlighting the bright image of Lebanon and its ability to overcome difficulties. He praised what Harb expressed, as a daughter of the South, of the people of the region’s adherence to life and their solid will in the face of suffering.
On the other hand, the President of the Republic discussed with former representatives Saleh and Kazem Al-Khair the general situation in the northern region in general and Minya Governorate in particular, as well as the latest political developments. The two representatives praised the positions of the President of the Republic regarding the current events and his continued efforts to extend state authority and sovereignty over the entire Lebanese territory. At the conclusion of the meeting, former MP Saleh Al-Khair presented his book “A Bird Without a Flock” to President Aoun, which documents his political career, his parliamentary positions, and the stages of his parliamentary term extending from 1972 to 2005, including his participation in the Taif Conference.
President Aoun concluded his meetings by receiving the Episcopal Vicar of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Zahle, Archimandrite Nicolas Al-Hakim, where the general conditions in the diocese and the living needs of its people were presented.
