Lebanese Republic 
Minister of Economy and Trade visited the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi
at the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerki
Minister of Economy and Trade, Amin Salam, visited the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi at the Patriarchal Edifice in Bkerki and stated after the meeting: “I had the pleasure to meet His Beatitude and grabbed this occasion before the festive season to discuss the country’s pressing concerns during this period that we all wish to be over. We also wanted to inform His Beatitude on the outcome of our visit to the Arab countries as well as to Europe and the United States of America and conveyed to him the positive atmosphere that we rely on after the ceasefire agreement is achieved; which is a special opportunity to rescue Lebanon based upon the national principles as well as no victor and no vanquished’ concept, for Lebanon will not recover from its crisis except by the solidarity of all its components”.
Moreover, Salam stated: “we are witnessing today the period of reorganizing the work of the institutions, starting by the election of a President of the Republic, the formation of a new government in addition to the referral to the international community to discuss the future of Lebanon. We are fully aware that we still have a long path to go for the reconstruction and recovery of the Lebanese economy. We conveyed the positive echoes of all the countries and Capitals that rely on the Lebanese’ wisdom to overcome this tough period. I also confirmed to His Beatitude that in case Lebanon opted for the calm and solidarity path, then it is certain that the next year will be a bright one aided by an unprecedented international support to Lebanon where we already started to perceive the signs through the countries’ solidarity that cooperated together to reach a ceasefire in order to rescue Lebanon”.
Salam also added: “It is important to rely on this positivity and initiative, on top of them President Berri’s initiative expected at the beginning of the new year to elect a President of the Republic, which establishes a new phase that starts on the coming year enabling to reorganize the Government’ work and institutions”.
As for the Ministry’s preparedness for the next stage, Minister Salam stated: “As a Ministry of Economy and Trade and a Government, we have a great transitional task to undertake which starts by ending the war and starting Lebanon’ reconstruction process after the massive destruction that was caused in addition to reorganizing the economy and social condition; given the fact that the social situation following the war is not easy. For this reason, our tour around the world’s Capitals focused on the post-war period and the means of promptly addressing the crisis in addition to the Government’ unprecedented actions to undertake reforms in order not to miss an opportunity that may not recur”.
