President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, welcomed any initiative by the League of Arab States, to solve the current Lebanese crisis, and assured the Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Houssam Zaki that “The interest shown by the League towards Lebanon is well-appreciated since Lebanon is one of the founders of this League, and is keen to respect its charter, and all decisions issued, by dealing with it positively”.
The President had received Ambassador Zaki, this morning at Baabda Palace.
In addition, President Aoun had explained the reasons which have so far prevented the formation of the government and the obstacles which have been put in place, stressing “Lebanese commitment to implementing the Taif Accord, from which the Constitution emerged and which must be respected by everyone, and work should be according to its provisions, especially in everything related to its establishment, functioning and dissolution of constitutional authorities”.
Moreover, the President considered that all what is said otherwise that the Taif is threatened, is “False and directed by well-known parties which are involved in authorship”, noting that the President of the Republic is the only one who swears an oath to preserve the Constitution.
For his part, Ambassador Zaki conveyed the greetings of Arab League Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, to President Aoun, and his wishes that the Lebanese parties reach solutions to the current Lebanese crisis. Zaki also put the League’s capabilities into Lebanese disposal, in any step which helps facilitate agreement between different parties in all fields.
The delegation accompanying Ambassador Zaki included: Ambassador, Abdel Rahman Al-Solh, Director of Arab Mashreq Department at the League of Arab States, Lama Kassem, Secretary-General’s Advisor, Jamal Rushdie, Advisor of the Arab League Office in Beirut, Dr. Youssef Al-Sabawi, and Diplomat, Nasser Al-Hajri.
On the Lebanese side: former Minister, Salim Jreisatti, Presidency Director General, Dr. Antoine Choucair, Advisors Mr. Rafic Chelala, Antoine Constantine and Osama Khashab.
For his part, Zaki said, “There is a political crisis, and a huge economic crisis. Both crises are inseparable, and the economic crisis cannot be resolved without reaching an exit.”
Zaki also expressed expressed the readiness of the Arab League Secretary-General to assist in contacts between the main parties in this crisis if there is a need for its intervention.
Source: NNA