Aoun Praises Berri's Stance... Fears Explosion!

Republic President Joseph Aoun praised the steps taken by Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine regarding the fight against corrupt and smuggled drugs. He also congratulated him on his election as president of the 73rd session of the World Health Organization Regional Committee for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO), considering that the congratulations extend beyond the minister to Lebanon as a whole.

In a speech delivered at the beginning of the Cabinet session, President Aoun also praised the security agencies and their efforts to maintain security in various regions and on all fronts, particularly combating terrorism and drugs, arms smuggling, and crime, despite the pressing economic role.

He added: "We can only stand alongside the security agencies; they are the backbone of the state and its fundamental pillar. We appreciate the stance of Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, especially regarding considering the Lebanese Army as a red line, preserving civil peace, and openness to dialogue and understanding, as these are the best means to protect and save Lebanon." He said: "The challenges facing the region are very large, and I hope that their path will not lead to escalation or explosion. I call on Lebanese factions to possess wisdom, awareness, and prudence to distance the impact of these challenges from Lebanon, which is already suffering from difficult economic repercussions. This requires everyone—ministers and political officials—to deal with wisdom to spare Lebanon any shock that the region may witness."

Aoun also renewed Lebanon's solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the face of attacks it is subjected to and everything that threatens its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens. There are contacts with Riyadh for the return of air links and Saudi tourists to Lebanon. He thanked the State of Qatar for its efforts to help Lebanon in the energy sector, and expressed hope that the Cabinet would be convened to study the energy file and the environmental file so that they could be resolved.

He also called on Communications Minister Charles Hajj to proceed with the "Lebanon Telecom" law to liberalize the telecommunications sector and make it more efficient.

He also called for holding by-elections for the vacant Orthodox seat in Western Bekaa following the death of the late MP Ghassan Skaf, stating that this is a constitutional obligation that must be fulfilled, and the seat should not remain vacant.