General Michel Aoun, President of the Republic, met with Education Minister Dr. Abbas Halabi at the Presidential Palace today.
The meeting discussed the commencement of the academic year, teacher requests, and Lebanese University circumstances.
Following the meeting, the Minister of Education released the following statement:
“It was a privilege to meet His Excellency the President today. I briefed the President on the environment around the start of the academic year, as well as the administrative actions we have taken and the reactions of teachers to these actions.
The President was very satisfied with the beginning of the academic year. In addition, we addressed the demands of teachers, contractors, private and public schools. We also agreed to speed up some steps which require specific training procedures, in order to provide necessary supplies for the official sector. We stressed the necessity of meet the demands of teachers and contractors, namely transportation allowance and social grants which were the subject of discussion.
We also discussed the adoption of a 500 billion pound-bill related to the public and private sector, at a rate of 350 billion pounds to the private sector and 150 billion pounds to the official sector, in a way which secures and provides the requirements of this year, hence reaching the end of a safe and successful academic year with all accompanying steps.
Moreover, we tackled the issue of the Lebanese University, and we agreed on the need to strengthen this university and its role in the next stage. God willing, appointing the President of the Lebanese University will be on the cabinet’s agenda, either today or next week”.
General President of Savior Congregation:
The President received the General President of the Basilian Savior Congregation, Archimandrite Antoine Dib, Elected Archbishop of the Melkite Greek Catholic Diocese of Canada, Father Milad Jawich, and Father Gilbert Wardi.
President Aoun was invited, by Archimandrite Dib, to attend the episcopal ordination of the new metropolitan, which will take place on Saturday October 30th in the Monastery of the Savior in Joun, Al-Shouf.
The occasion will also be celebrated by the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Youssef Al-Absi.
