In the presence of Dr. Pierre Raffoul the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Glenn Miles the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon

President Aoun told the Australian delegation: "Our primary concern was to establish security and stability in the country. We succeeded with the help of the army"

17/7/2017

(Translation of this article appears in Arabic section)

Beirut - Middle East TIMES Int'l: President of the Republic of Lebanon Michel Aoun in the presence of Dr. Pierre Raffoul the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Glenn Miles the Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Bishop Antoine Charbel Tarabay of the Maronite Diocese of Australia accompanied by an Australian delegation including Australian personalities of Lebanese origin, Bakhos Georges the President of the Maronite Association, Tony Khattar President of the Maronite Council, Joe Khattar President of the Lebanese Chamber of Commerce and the Regional President of Australia for the Lebanese Cultural Union in the World Michel Doueihi and other expatriate personalities.

In a speech on behalf of the delegation, Bishop Tarabay expresses the love of Lebanese and Australian of Lebanese origin for President Aoun" who represents all hope for the establishment of a state of law and institutions in Lebanon." He congratulated him on his election as President of the Republic putting their potentials to his service. "The Lebanese Australian are ready, more than any time ago, to help Lebanon and to contribute especially to its economic growth," he said, adding: "It is sufficient to note that if 10% of the value of Lebanese investments in Australia alone were invested in Lebanon, we  would contribute to a major economic recovery, secure additional employment opportunities that will push the economy forward and limit the migration of young people and families. We are aware of the many reasons why migrants are returning or investing in their motherland, knowing that they are very prepared to do so."

Bishop Tarabay stressed the role of the army and the security forces in maintaining stability and satisfaction of expatriates. He noted the performance of the government and its President, Saad Hariri, in completing the outstanding, chronic or emerging issues on the Lebanese arena.

"The delegation puts before the President of the Republic the reserve force represented by the diaspora with all that we have for its mission to deliver to Lebanon the promise and the dream... we congratulate you and the government on including H.E Pierre Raffoul, the son of Australia, son of the struggle, love and reconciliation.

We appeal to you in the generalization of the Aounism - Forces reconciliation to include all Christian factions and to serve as a prelude to general Lebanese reconciliation", Mr. Anwar Harb said.

Aoun reply

President Aoun welcomed the delegation, calling on him to stick to the love of Australia, which embraced its members and gave them their identity and the love of Lebanon, the motherland, because there is no contradiction between since both they share ideas and values of great humanity.

"Our primary concern was the establishment of security and stability in the country. we have succeeded with the help of the army that provided security, although the task was difficult due to the use in the wars of coup d'état and infidels. The dream beyond the presidency which is the creation of a Lebanese state was achieved.

The mistakes that we have made over the past 26 years are difficult to solve in days or months, and will take more than a year or two, because mistakes included all sectors of the state from the economy, security and spread of corruption.