The head of the "Independence Movement," MP Michel Muawwad, met in his office in Baabda with the American ambassador to Lebanon, Dorothy Shia, to discuss the latest developments in Lebanon and the region. During the meeting, the presidential file was addressed, where Muawwad emphasized the "necessity of electing a new president for the Republic away from the logic of dominance and disruption, a president capable of restoring governance to the constitution, sovereignty to the state, order to institutions, implementing international resolutions and border delineations, lifting Lebanon's isolation and restoring its leading role in its Arab and international surroundings, and undertaking the necessary structural reforms to secure an agreement with the International Monetary Fund that protects the rights of depositors and enhances economic growth."
Regarding the issue of Syrian refugees, Muawwad affirmed the need to avoid two extremes in this complex issue: the first being racist rhetoric against the refugees, and the second being leaving things as they are, which constitutes a significant burden on the economy and an imminent danger to Lebanese security and social fabric. Muawwad called on the Lebanese government to "take the necessary steps and decisions to address this vital issue effectively instead of hiding behind empty populist slogans, and for the international community to assume its responsibilities and adopt different approaches to prevent Lebanon from sinking under the weight of displacement, leading to a disaster that everyone will ultimately pay the price for."
They also discussed the developmental and social projects implemented by the René Moawwad Foundation in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other international donor institutions, exploring ways to strengthen and develop this partnership to support the Lebanese people amid unprecedented economic and social collapse.
