President of the Republic, Michel Aoun, on Friday vowed that Lebanon's future shall be better than its latest and remote past, voicing determination to build the State regardless of difficulties.

"We will be able very soon to realize advancement in the economic and financial situation," President Aoun told a delegation of the Lebanese associations in Europe, who visited him at the Baabda palace on Friday.

The delegation included expatriates from the various European countries, notably from Spain, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Belgium, Holland, Britain, Denmark and Sweden.

"Difficulties are ongoing which might hinder the reform measures... However, we are on the right path," Aoun assured his visiting expats delegation.

Aoun noted the presence of a bulky legacy to be dealt with, pledging to continue struggle till a new generation turns up and alters the existing way of thinking.

The President also indicated that administrative reforms might be easier to accomplish than financial and economic reforms.

Aoun also hailed the Lebanese Diaspora who managed to expand the borders of Lebanon, saying all expatriates are encouraged to return to Lebanon thanks to the successful organizational work by the Foreign Minister who anchored communication between Lebanon and the Diaspora.

On the other hand, Aoun met with Economy Minister Raed Khoury, in the presence of Aoun's key Advisor, Mireille Aoun, and the President's Gulf affairs Advisor, Fadi Asli, with talks reportedly touching on an array of economic issues, notably preparations underway for the holding of Paris Conference in support of investments in Lebanon.

Aoun later met with the International Monetary Fund's Regional Director, former Minister, Jihad Azour, with whom he discussed the overall economic situation in Lebanon and the region

Source: NNA