Presidency Director-General, Dr. Antoine Choucair, participated in the second meeting of the advisory group on the reform, recovery and reconstruction framework, which was held on the 27th of July, via video technology.

The group includes the Lebanese government, the United Nations, the European Union, the World Bank, donor countries, and representatives of civil society, aiming to follow up the progress and strategic direction of reforms and activities within the framework of recovery and reconstruction.

Dr. Choucair had an intervention in the meeting, in which he stressed that the President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, places in his list of priorities the results of the investigations that are being conducted into the explosion in the port of Beirut, and that he is willing to know the truth and impose penalties on the real guilty.

In addition, the Presidency Director-General conveyed the appreciation of the Lebanese Presidency and its thanks for the efforts made by the international community for the reconstruction of the port of Beirut and other regions of the capital, directing a special greeting to the civil society, which has become a strong and reliable partner even outside the framework of this group’s work. Moreover, Dr. Choucair hoped that a new government will be formed soon to start implementing reforms and renegotiating with the International Monetary Fund, till reaching transparent and effective parliamentary elections in 2022.

Dr. Choucair also explained that the programs that have been developed, implemented or are currently being implemented, are the result of efforts and cooperation between the United Nations Coordinator in Lebanon, Mrs. Najat Rushdie, and the concerned ministers.

“These programs are essential and supported by the Lebanese presidency, especially as they are considered as a driving force to support the Lebanese people” Dr. Choucair added.

In addition, Dr. Choucair urged the international community to provide all possible efforts to the educational sector, which faces serious obstacles and difficulties, “A sector that was one of the main pillars of Lebanon, as thinker Erasmus once said: “The most prominent hope for a nation lies in securing the correct education for its youth” Dr. Choucair said.

The Director-General concluded by pointing out the importance of focusing, as a matter of reform, on general laws, including the Administrative Organization Law, the Personnel System Law, the Public Accounting Law, and the Materials Accountability Law.

Choucair also suggested seeking to establish a Ministry of Planning or Supreme Council for Planning, given the importance of international cooperation in Lebanon, proposing a reform file related to the implementation of the Telecommunications Law that has not yet been implemented, starting with Ogero.