Presidency of the Republic of Lebanon

10/20/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/20/2021 04:12

The President addressed the path of indirect negotiations to demarcate southern maritime borders, with the new US mediator.

President Aoun told Alvarez & Marsal delegation that forensic audit in BDL accounts will start tomorrow, and stressed the speedy completion of this procedure.

President Aoun to the Head of the Antonine Institute: "We are working to confront the current situation with faith, firmness and hope, so that Lebanon gradually recovers".

President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, met Chief Advisor to the US State Department for energy security and the new mediator in the indirect negotiations to demarcate southern maritime borders, Amos Hochstein, today at the Presidential Palace.

US Ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shea, also attended the meeting.

The course of negotiations to demarcate southern maritime borders and the future directions of this issue were deliberated in the meeting.

Alvarez & Marsal General Manager:

The President then received the General Manager of Alvarez & Marsal, Mr. James Daniel, Finance Minister, Youssef Khalil, Government Commissioner at the Central Bank, Mrs. Christelle Wakim, and Mr. Paul Sharma.

The delegation informed the President that Alvarez & Marsal will start forensic audit in BDL accounts from tomorrow morning, after completing all the related arrangements.

President Aoun wished the delegation to expedite work, due to the accuracy of this task.

Head of the Antonine Institute:

President Aoun met head of the Saint Anthony Monastery and the Antonine Institute, Father Nader Nader.

Father Nader was heading a delegation of Antonine monks who conveyed to the President congratulations on the formation of the new government. The delegation also invited President Aoun to attend the divine sacrifice on St. Michael's Day, on November 8, and the feast of St. Anthony, next January 17.

Father Nader:

In the meeting, Father Nader delivered the following speech:

"The harshness of the last days didn't allow us to meet on St. Antony's feast, nor on other occasions. However, your kindness never disappeared from our conscience and mind. You were always in the heart of our liturgy and prayers. We thank the Lord for everything he gave you from blessings and virtues. The Lord who helped you bear the cross of accusations, the arrows of evil which were aimed at you, and all the slanders which you were stoned with.

You endured all this with patience, so victory was on your side and a new government was formed, congratulations to you and to us.

As for now Mr. President, your adherence to the basic principles, role and powers of the President of the Republic, in addition to the strong means which help contribute to saving the country, land of holiness, remains the guarantee. Your adherence also remains a space of hope and peace which we want for all the Lebanese.

We raise our prayers with you, if circumstances allow, to meet around the feast of your patron St. Michael, and we will be more happy if you honor us as usual next January 17 on the feast of our patron, St. Anthony".

President Aoun:

For his part, the President thanked Father Nader for the passion he expressed, and stressed the old relationship which binds him to the Antonine Order, noting the role it had played in serving Lebanon at spiritual and national levels.

The President also explained the conditions which Lebanon is witnessing and the difficulties which faced the reform process launched, as well as the crises which have accumulated and brought the country to the current situation.

Finally, President Aoun asserted work to confront the current situation with faith, firmness and hope, so that Lebanon would gradually recover.​