Lebanese President Michel Aoun on Thursday expressed his readiness to dialogue with protesters to find the best solutions to save the country from the financial collapse.
In a televised speech, Aoun expressed his readiness to meet with representatives of the protesters "to determine options for the best results."
"My invitation to the protesters is: I am present to meet your representatives with your concerns and hear your demands and determine what they are as you hear from us about our fears of economic collapse," he said.
He called on protesters to open the roads they cut. "Freedom of expression is a respected and reserved right, but also the right of all citizens to move," he said.
He continued: «From my position I will be the guarantee to achieve reform and to hear the word of protesters, dialogue is always the safest way to rescue and I am waiting for you», pointing out that «freedom of expression is sacred in Lebanon, and freedom of movement must also be preserved».
Aoun stressed that the reform paper presented by the government will be «the first paper to save Lebanon», and called for the opportunity to implement it. He said protesters could return to squares "if there was a delay in implementing the reform."
He acknowledged that the political system "needs to be developed," but said that this could not happen through squares but through constitutional institutions.
He stressed his support for the demands of protesters, especially with regard to the return of looted funds, and called for the need to hold all «thieves», and at the same time urged all communities not to protect their associates if they are implicated in corruption.
The Lebanese president pledged to establish a "special court for crimes against public funds, recovering looted funds, lifting immunity and lifting banking secrecy for presidents, ministers, MPs and all those who deal with current and former public funds."
He affirmed his understanding of the "cry of Lebanese pain," and acknowledged that "corruption and sectarianism have caused great damage" to Lebanon.
He urged the House of Representatives to speed up the passage of the necessary legislation to combat corruption.
He said that «Lebanon is a country of partnership and democracy, and the President of the Republic needs the support of the Government and the House of Representatives in order to fulfill the promises he made».
He stressed that he spared no effort in his work, but said that «obstacles are many».