Latest news with #Aoun
MTV Lebanon
14 hours ago
- Business
- MTV Lebanon
Aoun: Industry is a pillar of Lebanon's economy, urges reforms to strengthen sector
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, reaffirmed Lebanon's identity as an industrial nation and stressed that the sector remains a vital pillar of the country's economy. Aoun further voiced full support for Lebanese manufacturers, describing them as 'makers of hope for a promising economic future,' and pledged governmental action to protect local industry from smuggling and tax burdens. The President's comments came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with a delegation from the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, led by its president Salim Zeeni, who presented a detailed overview of the sector's current challenges. Zeeni emphasized that Lebanon's industrial output stands at $12 billion annually, nearly one-third of the national GDP, and employs some 220,000 workers. He called for practical reforms, including a special electricity tariff for factories, streamlined customs procedures, and legislative incentives to protect domestic production. President Aoun was also briefed by Minister of Youth and Sports Nora Bayrakdarian on upcoming summer sports festivals and the development of a national sports strategy, set to be launched at a September conference under his patronage. The President later met with MP Adib Abdel Massih to discuss regional developments, anti-corruption efforts, and the needs of the North, particularly the Koura region. He also held talks with former MP Hadi Hobeich, focusing on electoral reform, the issue of arms outside state authority, and infrastructure needs in Akkar. Additionally, a delegation from the Christian Coordination Council—including Dr. Fouad Abou Nader, attorney Naoum Farah, Dr. Naji Hajar, and Jean Chamoun—outlined the council's development, agricultural, and healthcare initiatives aimed at strengthening local communities and preserving national unity. President Aoun also received Lebanon's ambassador to the United Kingdom, Rami Mortada, who briefed him on diplomatic developments and bilateral relations.
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Aoun vows to preserve Lebanon's 'territorial integrity'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 6 hours President Joseph Aoun on Monday pledged to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity, in the wake of the storm of controversy sparked by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's latest remarks about Lebanon and Syria. 'Lebanon's territorial integrity is a national principle that is enshrined in the constitution and protected by the Lebanese Army and the will of the Lebanese who have offered sacrifices throughout the years to preserve it,' Aoun said. "After my election as president, I took an oath to preserve the country's independence and territorial integrity and mistaken are those who think that he who has taken two oaths to defend a unified Lebanon might break his oath for any reason or might accept any similar proposals,' the president added. As for the thorny issue of Hezbollah's arms, Aoun reiterated that 'the decision to monopolize arms in the hands of the state has been taken, in line with the Taif Accord.' 'This matter, alongside having the decisions of peace and war in the hands of the state, are among the main components and essential principles of any state,' the president added. Barrack has warned in an interview with the UAE's The National newspaper that Lebanon risks being swallowed by regional powers unless it acts to address Hezbollah's arms and implement reforms. 'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, using the historical name for the Syria region. 'Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. It frustrates me,' he added. Barrack later clarified that his remarks were not a 'threat to Lebanon.' 'My comments … praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's (U.S. President Donald Trump's) lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,' Barrack said in a post on X. 'I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,' Barrack added.
Nahar Net
2 days ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Aoun vows to preserve Lebanon's 'territorial integrity'
by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 July 2025, 15:21 President Joseph Aoun on Monday pledged to preserve Lebanon's territorial integrity, in the wake of the storm of controversy sparked by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack's latest remarks about Lebanon and Syria. 'Lebanon's territorial integrity is a national principle that is enshrined in the constitution and protected by the Lebanese Army and the will of the Lebanese who have offered sacrifices throughout the years to preserve it,' Aoun said. "After my election as president, I took an oath to preserve the country's independence and territorial integrity and mistaken are those who think that he who has taken two oaths to defend a unified Lebanon might break his oath for any reason or might accept any similar proposals,' the president added. As for the thorny issue of Hezbollah's arms, Aoun reiterated that 'the decision to monopolize arms in the hands of the state has been taken, in line with the Taif Accord.' 'This matter, alongside having the decisions of peace and war in the hands of the state, are among the main components and essential principles of any state,' the president added. Barrack has warned in an interview with the UAE's The National newspaper that Lebanon risks being swallowed by regional powers unless it acts to address Hezbollah's arms and implement reforms. 'You have Israel on one side, you have Iran on the other, and now you have Syria manifesting itself so quickly that if Lebanon doesn't move, it's going to be Bilad Al Sham again,' he said, using the historical name for the Syria region. 'Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we need to move. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. It frustrates me,' he added. Barrack later clarified that his remarks were not a 'threat to Lebanon.' 'My comments … praised Syria's impressive strides, not a threat to Lebanon. I observed the reality that Syria is moving at light speed to seize the historic opportunity presented by @POTUS's (U.S. President Donald Trump's) lifting of sanctions: investment from Türkiye and the Gulf, diplomatic outreach to neighboring countries, and a clear vision for the future,' Barrack said in a post on X. 'I can assure that Syria's leaders only want co-existence and mutual prosperity with Lebanon, and the United States is committed to supporting that relationship between two equal and sovereign neighbors enjoying peace and prosperity,' Barrack added.
Ya Libnan
2 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
MP Fouad Makhzoumi calls Barrak's position a 'wake up call'. Urges the state to be courageous in its decision on illegal arms
MP Fouad Makhzoumi said in a statement that 'the position announced by Ambassador Tom Barak regarding Lebanon should be a wake-up call for the state, so that it can take action and act as a decision-maker, not as a hesitant mediator, hiding behind this or that pretext. Greater Lebanon, which we are proud to belong to and defend, requires courageous action at a fateful stage. What is required of the state is to withdraw all illegal weapons, effectively extend its authority over its land and borders, and dismantle the illegal military and security structures. Otherwise, God forbid, Lebanon will be on the political and economic waiting list. The Lebanese are waiting for courageous decisions from their state that go beyond the equations of buying time and managing the crisis.' Existential threat Makhzoumi's comments come after US Special Envoy Tom Barrack warned, in an interview with the Emirati newspaper The National, that Lebanon risks falling into the hands of regional powers unless Beirut moves to resolve the issue of Hezbollah's arms. He pointed out that 'Lebanon needs to resolve this issue, otherwise it could face an existential threat,' adding, 'Israel on one side, Iran on the other, and now Syria is emerging very quickly. If Lebanon doesn't act, it will return to the Levant.' He added, 'The Syrians say Lebanon is our beach resort. So we have to act. And I know how frustrated the Lebanese people are. This frustrates me too.' The Iran-backed Hezbollah militia was severely weakened in its war with Israel. The ceasefire that was agreed last November between Israel and Hezbollah was based on UN resolution 1701 and 1559 which call for disarming all militia in Lebanon. Following his election last January president Joseph Aoun pledged to make the Lebanese army the only entity allowed to bear arms but he has been overly cautious and reluctant in taking the ultimate decision of disarming Hezbollah for fear of a civil war. The majority of the Lebanese have been pressing Aoun to act in resolving the issue of Hezbollah arms and many leaders threatened to pull out of the government if Aoun does not act.
Memri
3 days ago
- Politics
- Memri
Sweden-Based Syrian Journalist Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani: There Is No Such Thing as Lebanon, It Belong to Syria Historically; If Latakia and Tartus Are Taken from Syria, It Will Raid Tripoli and Sidon and
Sweden-based Syrian journalist Dr. Kamal Al-Labwani said in an interview that was posted to the Lebanese YouTube channel Spot Shot on July 7, 2025 that if the superpowers take Latakia and Tartus from Syria, then Syria will have no choice but to invade Lebanon and annex Tripoli and Sidon by force, because it needs an outlet to the Mediterranean Sea. He accused the Lebanese army, under the command of current Lebanese President Aoun, of preparing barrel bombs for the Assad regime, and claimed that Lebanon had sent Hizbullah to occupy and destroy Syria. Al-Labwani said Lebanon is not a 'real country' but a 'historical lie' created by General Gouraud after World War I, and he declared that he wants to return the Lebanese people to their motherland of Syria. He also warned that any attempt to change Syria's borders will lead to the 'annihilation of Lebanon.' Dr. Kamal al-Labwani is a Syrian opposition figure and former political prisoner, known for his advocacy of democratic reform and cross-border dialogue.
