President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, paid a landmark visit to the headquarters of Lebanon’s state-run tobacco and tombac authority (Regie Libanaise des Tabacs et Tombacs) in Hadath, hailing it as a model institution in Lebanon’s struggling public sector.
In remarks delivered during the visit, President Aoun underscored that “the success of any public institution is contingent on sound administration,” adding, “there are no bad institutions, only poor management that leads to corruption, bribery, and the exploitation of citizens. The role of the administration should be to serve the people, not the other way around.”
Aoun was welcomed by Regie’s Chairman and Director General Nassif Seklawi and members of the board, and began his visit by greeting members of the anti-smuggling unit.
The President then congratulated them for a major operation carried out the previous day in the Burj al-Shamali camp in Tyre, during which large quantities of contraband cigarettes were seized. Three officers were wounded, including unit commander Elie Jaajaa. “Your actions are a source of pride and proof that when the state asserts itself, no one can stand in its way,” the President told them.
The visit included a meeting with Regie’s senior staff and employees, a tribute from Seklawi celebrating the President’s commitment to national unity, and a tour of the production facility where Aoun met workers and was presented with a symbolic tobacco seedling by female farmers.
In his closing remarks, President Aoun reiterated that Regie stands as an “exemplary institution,” calling for its success to serve as a blueprint for reforming other public administrations across Lebanon. “Despite all difficulties, you have maintained productivity, discipline, and integrity. That is the foundation of national recovery,” he said.
In remarks delivered during the visit, President Aoun underscored that “the success of any public institution is contingent on sound administration,” adding, “there are no bad institutions, only poor management that leads to corruption, bribery, and the exploitation of citizens. The role of the administration should be to serve the people, not the other way around.”
Aoun was welcomed by Regie’s Chairman and Director General Nassif Seklawi and members of the board, and began his visit by greeting members of the anti-smuggling unit.
The President then congratulated them for a major operation carried out the previous day in the Burj al-Shamali camp in Tyre, during which large quantities of contraband cigarettes were seized. Three officers were wounded, including unit commander Elie Jaajaa. “Your actions are a source of pride and proof that when the state asserts itself, no one can stand in its way,” the President told them.
The visit included a meeting with Regie’s senior staff and employees, a tribute from Seklawi celebrating the President’s commitment to national unity, and a tour of the production facility where Aoun met workers and was presented with a symbolic tobacco seedling by female farmers.
In his closing remarks, President Aoun reiterated that Regie stands as an “exemplary institution,” calling for its success to serve as a blueprint for reforming other public administrations across Lebanon. “Despite all difficulties, you have maintained productivity, discipline, and integrity. That is the foundation of national recovery,” he said.
