Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea sounded the alarm on the dire economic situation in Lebanon and highlighted the need for swift reforms.
"Prime Minister Saad Hariri is highly appreciated for touring the world to bring aid to Lebanon. His intentions are very good; however, I'm afraid that the destiny of any likely aid will be the same as that of previous support from Paris 1, 2, 3 and others," Geagea said during a dinner that was held at the reception hall of Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa, in the presence of MP Strida Geagea, Lebanese Ambassador to Canada, Fadi Ziada, represented by Consul Kamel Sheikh Ali.
"The Lebanese Central Bank itself has set aside $20 billion to salvage the situation. If Prime Minister Hariri succeeds, one of the pledging countries might deposit $1 billion whilst the annual electricity deficit is between $2 and $2.5 billion. Therefore, despite the fact that we believe that aid is important, we also believe that we should opt for pressing reforms before anything else," Geagea explained.
Touching on the Syrian refugee crisis, Geagea suggested two solutions: either the Lebanese and Russian governments negotiate the matter under the supervision of the United Nations, or the Lebanese government could negotiate the matter with a group of Arab countries and send 100,000 refugees to each Arab country.
"This will not affect any of the Arab countries because their population and economic capabilities are larger, and of course some countries are ready to serve Lebanon in this matter," Geagea added, regretting that some Lebanese officials, instead of working in this direction, were ceaselessly attacking these Arab countries.
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