Aoun at the United Nations … Helping Beirut Recover from its Rubble

On Wednesday, Lebanese President Michel Aoun called on the international community to support his country in rebuilding the capital, Beirut.

Speaking at the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Aoun said that Beirut is trying to rise from its rubble, indicating that the repercussions of the Beirut port explosion would raise poverty rates in the country.

During his speech, Aoun renewed his speech on the Beirut port explosion, saying that it “caused extensive damage to the capital’s infrastructure,” noting that his country had requested technical assistance in investigations into the Beirut port explosion.

Regarding the Syrian refugee crisis, Aoun said that Lebanon addressed the Syrian refugee crisis out of humanity and respect for international law, and called for intensified efforts for the safe return of displaced Syrians to their homeland. country and without linking the matter to a political solution.

The Lebanese president also renewed his call to the international community to force Israel to stop violating the sovereignty of Lebanon and its territories.

It affirmed Lebanon’s adherence to its full rights to its waters and natural oil and gas resources, and to all its maritime borders, in accordance with international law.

It expressed Lebanon’s welcome to the decision to extend the mandate of UNIFIL to maintain stability, and also gave priority to preserving the security and protection of its elements, appreciating the cooperation of those forces with the Lebanese army.

Early Wednesday, France called on the international community to exert “strong pressure” to urge Lebanese officials to form a government.

During the meeting of the International Support Group for Lebanon, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said: “There will be no financial support for Lebanon without reforms.”

For its part, the International Lebanon Support Group called on Lebanon’s political leaders to unite to form a government.

The group, which includes the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, said in a statement after the meeting: “Members of the International Support Group for Lebanon urged leaders to come together to support the formation of a government. opportune that it can fulfill the legitimate aspirations expressed by the Lebanese people. “