President Michel Aoun stressed Thursday that “this is not the time for speeches, rhetoric and ceremonies but it is time for serious and hard work because we are in a race with time as the challenges grow more serious and we have wasted enough time.”

Addressing the Lebanese people in a speech he delivered on the occasion of the 76th Independence of Lebanon, Aoun said that a cabinet should have been formed and already started working, but the conflicts controlling the Lebanese politics forced the careful approach in order to avoid further conflicts and to reach a government that meets the most of the people’s aspirations.

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He renewed his call on the demonstrators to look closely at the real demands and means to implement them, stressing that dialogue is the only way to resolve the crises.

The president stated that independence is a national, free and independent decision that is not subject to any form of tutelage, noting that “the deals and settlements that are being prepared for our region and the attempts to impose them threaten not only the independence of the states in question, but also their existence.”

Aoun also spoke about the fight against corruption, describing the battle as tough and calling on the Lebanese people for help in this regard.

“Shedding light on corruption through media and in the squares is healthy and helpful, but the media and the street cannot assume the role of prosecutor, judge and jailer all at one, since this can harm the fight against corruption,” he continued.

Addressing the judges in the corruption issue, Aoun said: “You are required today to commit to your oath and assume your duties; the fight against corruption, wherever it starts, it ends with you and victory depends on your bravery and integrity.”

In the same context, he pointed out that since 2017 he has referred to the judiciary more than 18 files related to corruption and bribery cases at the state’s institutions, adding that no verdicts had been issued in any of these cases. “If delayed justice is not considered justice, then delay in finalizing corruption cases is considered unintentional encouragement of corruption,” he explained.

“I will protect the judiciary and prevent any interference in its work based on my oath to preserve the constitution and the laws,” Aoun said.

Addressing the military, the president called on them to protect the people’s freedom to exercise their right of speech and protest, stressing that they should also protect the people who seek to commute.

Concluding his speech in a message to the Lebanese youth, President Aoun urged them to avoid being carried away with the hatred and incitement rhetoric, “because destruction is easy while construction is hard.”

“Do not destroy our society’s foundations that are based on mutual respect, freedom of speech and freedom of religion,” he added.