Lebanon’s President Aoun Pledges New Cabinet Based On Expertise

By Staff, Agencies

Lebanese President Michel Aoun pledged on Thursday to form a new government in which ministers would be chosen by expertise rather than political affiliation, after the resignation of Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri following weeks of nationwide protests.

In a live televised speech, Aoun pledged to move the state away from its sectarian-based political system to a civil state calling sectarianism a “destructive disease”.

“I pledge to push towards a productive economy and benefit from our country's capabilities, wealth, private and banking sectors, to adopt a right fiscal policy to finance productive projects that create job opportunities for the Lebanese people and limit the migration of the qualified,” Aoun added.

Aoun further noted that: “As much as the popular demands and spontaneous movements are rightful and contribute to orienting toward the right track, abusing the street in the face of one another one is the most dangerous on the nation's unity and national peace.”

I believe that nobody can bear the brunt of destroying the country, Aoun concluded.