Miqati: Achieving Democracy is Not an Easy Process
Premier Najib Miqati warned on Wednesday that the path to democracy is not an easy task, saying Lebanon is still improving its democratic system despite being a harbinger of freedom in the Arab world.
At the opening of the 27th ministerial session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), Miqati said: “The uprisings and the popular movements demanding democracy are part of the historic development in the Arab region.”
But he warned that democracy can’t be achieved only through regime change or elections. It “is not an easy process ,” he said.
“Lebanon, which could be seen as the typical historical example of freedom, democracy and cultural interaction, … is still improving its democracy system and putting at the top of its priorities administrative reform, governance, citizenship, the adoption of laws that would guarantee more freedoms, human rights and equality,” he added.
The theme of the 27th session is "The role of participation and social justice in achieving sustainable and balanced development.”
“The significant changes that the region is going through are a sign that social justice is linked to sustainable development,” Miqati said in his speech.
“There can’t be sustainable development if the policies (of governments) fail to integrate the livelihood, cultural and humanitarian demands of the people,” he added.
ESCWA comprises 14 Arab countries in Western Asia but it is currently working on expanding its membership.
Miqati said Lebanon supports requests by Tunisia, Morocco and Libya to join it. “We see this step as another proof of the faith of the region’s countries in ESCWA and their commitment to Arab and regional interaction.”
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