Aoun Defends Coronavirus Measures, Says Health Emergency Needed
President Michel Aoun on Sunday defended the measures that have been taken by Lebanese authorities to confront the COVID-19 coronavirus.
“Over the past weeks, we have not been lax at all in confronting (the coronavirus crisis) with determination, will and awareness and in an instant and preventative manner,” Aoun said in an address to the nation at the beginning of an emergency Cabinet session in Baabda.
“All the necessary measures were taken in an optimal pace to confront the threats of this pandemic and limit its spread,” the president added.
He announced that the Cabinet would approve extraordinary and preventative measures at the end of its session, noting that “the current state requires a health emergency and general mobilization.”
“The time is for not scoring points, exchanging accusations or political exploitation,” Aoun urged.
The Cabinet session was preceded by a Higher Defense Council meeting and bilateral talks between Aoun and Prime Minister Hassan Diab.
The decision to declare "general mobilization" was taken in the Defense Council meeting and is expected to be officially endorse by Cabinet.
Lebanon has so far confirmed 99 coronavirus cases including three deaths, according to a Health Ministry statement issued at noon Sunday.
Educational institutions, restaurants, nightclubs, pubs, cafes, exhibitions, parks, cinemas, malls and other gathering venues have been closed since several days as part of the measures against the virus.
Lebanon has also banned flights from eleven hardly hit countries, with critics lamenting that the decision came too late.
Source: Naharnet
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