President Aoun voices determination to achieve balanced development

NNA - World Bank President Jim Yong Kim deemed the election of the President of the Republic General Michel Aoun as an essential milestone to restore the regularity of the constitutional institutions in Lebanon, stressing the World Bank Group's constant commitment towards the Lebanese state. Kim also expressed aspirations to support President Aoun in building a resilient and flexible economy which would lead to the revival of Lebanon and its development. The World Bank President's fresh words on Monday came in a written letter he addressed to President Aoun, relayed to him by the World Bank's Middle East Official Farid Balhaj, during a visit at Baabda palace this morning. The meeting took place in the presence of Chairman of Finance and Budget Committee MP Ibrahim Kanaan. Talks reportedly dwelt on an array of projects that the World Bank can contribute to its financing and securing experts and consultants for follow up in coordination with the Lebanese state. General Aoun thanked the World Bank's for its support and stressed activation of cooperation to implement vital and productive projects across all the Lebanese territories. On the other hand, Baabda palace witnessed a series of meetings touching on various political, developmental and administrative issues. In this framework, Aoun met with Jaafarite Mufti Sheikh Ahmad Qabalan, who came in the company of a delegation of muftis of the various Lebanese regions, with talks reportedly touching on the current developments on the local arena. Aoun also met with Kataeb Party chief MP Sami Gemayel, and Economy and Trade Minister Alan Hakim, where they held a tour d'horizon over the general situation in the country. Aoun also met with "Akkari Popular Gathering" head former MP Wajih Baarini who raised with the President relevant developmental demands related to the region of Akkar. Aoun voiced his continued concern for the region of Akkar, expressing determination to work for the implementation of the clauses of his oath speech, in which he underlined the option of balanced development. The President then met respectively with Administrative Development Minister, Nabil De Freij, former Minister, Roger Dib, former MP Faisal Daoud, Civil Service Council body, MP Ghassan Mkhaiber who came in the company of the late Ghazi Aad's family, as well as Caracallah Artist Abdel Hailm Caracallah and his musical band.