NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, affirmed that "municipal elections will be held as scheduled," praising "the full cooperation and  harmony with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam,   regarding the appointments, laws, and decrees that will be issued within the framework of an unprecedented partnership."

President Aoun also revealed that "the government has accomplished many dossiers in six weeks," expressing great optimism "about resolving a number of political and economic issues."

As for Hezbollah's weapons, President Aoun noted that the Party "has shown great flexibility in the issue of cooperation according to a specific timetable plan," and he is optimistic that "the party's positivity must be met with positivity and understanding of the new reality the country is experiencing."

 President Aoun's remarks were relayed by MP Sajih Attieh, who visited him this morning at Baabda  Palace, with a delegation from the National Moderation parliamentary bloc, including Mohammad Suleiman, Walid Baarini, Ahmad Kheir, Abdul Aziz Al-Samad, and Ahmad Rustom.

 The discussion reportedly addressed a number of developmental issues related to the Akkar region and North Lebanon, as well as the rehabilitation of the three crossings destroyed by Israel during its recent war on Lebanon, and an array of political and economic issues.

President Aoun also received MP Major General Ashraf Rifi, who said after the meeting that he discussed with the President of the Republic the general situation and needs of the northern region, especially "the necessity of operating the suspended facilities, including Rene Mouawad Airport in Qlayaat, the IPC refinery in Deir Ammar, the Rashid Karami International Fair in Tripoli, the special economic zone, the railways, and the reconstruction of the industrial zone."

President Aoun then received a delegation from the Lebanese Businessmen and Businesswomen Association, headed by Nicolas Bou Khater, who congratulated the President on his election and praised his stances and the goals he set for  reviving Lebanon.

The President later received the Vice President of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, former Minister Dr. Marwan Muasher, and the Organization's Regional Director for the Middle East, Dr. Maha Yahya.

The delegation briefed President Aoun on the foundation's work and the studies it conducts on various political, developmental, economic, and educational topics.

=============== L.Y