Economics and politics are two faces of the same old “state game “. With that being said, the president swung effortlessly between the two during the Lebanon Economic Forum held at the Four Seasons Hotel.

As is expected, The President of the Republic stressed the importance of the Baabda Declaration that he viewed as conveying the will of a nation. On the economic level, Sleiman voiced the importance of setting solid budgets and bold and rational economic policies, calling for issuing a law to govern and manage cooperation plans between the private and public sectors. Sleiman also mentioned infrastructure plans, ecological preservation and producing environmentally friend energy. This was followed by an announcement concerning the launching of a large decentralization project from the presidential palace that is due in a few days time.

On the political front, Sleiman viewed political consensus, security and stability as a necessity for a healthy economy, reiterating the importance of the Baabda Declaration as conveying national will. “We have forsaken lofty goals and formed a national interest cabinet so that the Policy Statement be written through dialogue and to kick start works,” added the President.

On a last note, Sleiman renewed call for respecting due constitutional presidential as well as parliamentary election dates.