Aoun: No siege on Shiites, measures against Iran jets linked to sanctions

President Joseph Aoun stressed Tuesday that “there is no siege on the Shiite sect as some are promoting” and that “the measures taken against Iranian airlines are linked to the (international) sanctions imposed on them.”

“The Shiite sect is a main component of the Lebanese body and is not alien to it,” Aoun added, in a meeting with a delegation from the Press Club.

“The reconstruction process will not take place overnight and is one way or another linked to reforms and combating corruption,” the president went on to say.

“It is necessary to rebuild the bridge of confidence among the Lebanese and I reject that anyone seek foreign help to intimidate others,” Aoun said.

Calling for approaching the developments “without tensions or treason accusations,” the president said “the Lebanese have grown tired of living between barricades after they paid a heavy price.”

“The state has become responsible for controlling security and the borders after it regained its decision, which is the decision of the Lebanese alone,” Aoun added.