President Aoun calls on the new government to address the economic situation

Beirut, (ST) – Lebanese President General Michel Aoun called on the new government to intensify efforts and gain the people’s trust by tackling the deteriorating economic conditions in the country.

Aoun said at the beginning of the first session of the government today that “your mission is accurate and you must gain the confidence of the Lebanese people and work to achieve the goals that they aspire to, both with regard to the life demands that need to be achieved or the economic conditions that have deteriorated as a result of their accumulation over many years”.

Aoun stressed the need to address the economic situation, restore the confidence of the international community in Lebanese institutions, and work to reassure the Lebanese of their future.

He said that we have already prepared an economic plan and financial reforms that the government will have to implement or amend when necessary.

Yesterday, President Aoun issued a decree to form a new government headed by Hassan Diab, which includes 20 ministers, including 6 women.

Protests and blocking roads continue in Beirut and other Lebanese regions

Meanwhile, Protests and demonstrations continued in Beirut demanding improvement of living condition and accountability for the corrupt.

The Lebanese National News Agency said that a number of protesters closed the international road this morning in Aley, with burning tires, while the army opened the western road of the Boar Highway after protesters closed it at night with burning tires.
The Lebanese army also worked to open the Naameh and Damour highway road, which leads to the south, which protesters closed since last night, in addition to closing the Jiyyeh road, Barja Junction.

Military vehicles are deployed along the lane, while the sea route from Aqeeba to Safra is witnessing suffocating traffic.
In Tripoli, protesters attacked the façade of a bank last night, entered it, messed with its contents, and closed the highway in to the city.
Popular marches roamed the streets of Tripoli, and protesters carried out a sit-in in front of the office of the new communications minister, Talal Hawat. Protesters also closed several main and secondary roads with burning tires.
In Hasbaya, a number of students crossed the Hasbaya road, with stones and the Hasbaya Mims road at the Mimis Valley by cars.
The southern city of Sidon witnessed protest movements, as a number of roads were closed with burning tires and containers of waste, and at night, dozens of protesters gathered in Elia Square, which resulted in the closure of the intersection road.
Dozens of Lebanese protesters gathered yesterday evening in front of the Lebanese parliament in the center of the Lebanese the capital Beirut after it was announced that a new government had been formed headed by Hassan Diab.
Since October 17, Lebanon has been witnessing sit-ins in demand of improved living conditions.

Raghda Sawas