NNA - Information Minister Paul Morcos toured Saturday the Ministry's departments to review the team's progress during the long election day, praising the efforts of editors, reporters, and administrators.

Visiting the National News Agency (NNA), Minister Morcos was received by NNA Director Ziad Harfoush, who explained the work flow in the agency's various sections, particularly with regard to monitoring the electoral process through the tireless efforts of its editors and reporters.

The Minister also visited the offices of the General Directorate of Information and the Lebanese Directorate of Studies and Publications. His tour concluded at "Radio Lebanon" studio, where Minister Morcos gave a special live interview, which was broadcast by Télé Liban and the National News Agency. Morcos thanked all the Information Ministry's staff for their relentless efforts and dedication in their respective roles. He highlighted "the importance of national media in conveying images, sounds and movement to the people, with limited resources."

He said: "I am reassured that Radio Lebanon, despite its many needs, is resilient thanks to those behind its airwaves, behind the screen of Tele Liban and the National News Agency, who tirelessly work to convey the truth to the people without distortion or bias. The advantage of national media is that it does not transmit affiliations over the air, and that is why I always strive to support it."

Morcos pointed out that "the government's first message regarding the southern elections is the sanctity of electoral deadlines, dates, and constitutional entitlements," adding that under President Joseph Aoun's mandate, there is no more postponement of elections - an ended heresy. "The second message is that the elections are held without favors; this is the government's duty. Expect during this mandate, full respect for constitutional entitlements," he asserted.

Addressing southerners, Morcos deemed that they have sacrificed the most, and continue to do so. He said: "They deserve that these elections be held on the appropriate date and place. This is only a small part of what they deserve. We are in the process of allocating a fund that will operate transparently through the visits of His Excellency the President, the Prime Minister, and the cabinet ministers abroad to secure the necessary resources."

Asked about a new parliamentary elections law, Morcos said: "There should be no mixing between the executive and legislative powers. Laws are issued by the latter, and the government cooperates."

In response to another question, he noted that "things in the country have changed, and they will improve further when the weapons of the Palestinian camps are handed over according to a timeframe," adding, "Most of southern Lebanon is now under the control of the Lebanese Army, and if it weren't for the Israeli attacks, we would have completed the deployment." He revealed that the Army Commander, General Rodolphe Heikal, presented to the cabinet, with facts, figures and documents, the army's extended authority in the south.

==========R.Sh.