Lebanese President Aoun calls for participation in elections

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The President of Lebanon, Michel Aoun, said that the time has come for accountability, and the revolution brought on by ballots is the cleanest, most truthful kind of revolution. He added that the responsibility rests on people's shoulders to not allow the corruption that has controlled the country for decades to continue.

In his speech before the legislative elections, Aoun called for massive participation in the elections, asking the people to choose those who can best defend their rights.

The Lebanese President said Lebanon isn't broken or bankrupt, but it has been robbed, and the judiciary should name those implicated in corruption and pursue them, adding that some of them have become well-known. He further said that Lebanon possesses resources that can rescue its economy, asking people not to despair but to choose lawmakers that can craft laws to save Lebanon and give it a real chance.

َAoun also warned the youth of a new and dangerous lie that an essential component of Lebanon can be eliminated without it affecting the country's stability, stressing that Lebanon can only live by way of all its components living together, calling for an end to hate speech and fearmongering. 

He also announced his rejection of any kind of nationalization for foreign refugees and highlighted the work done on exposing corruption so that the country and its institutions can be rebuilt.

Aoun warned earlier on Saturday that "Israel" is out to steal Lebanon's water, gas and oil riches.

In an interview with the Qatar News Agency, Aoun found it unlikely that "Israel" would launch an attack on Lebanon, and said that it would not seek such an "adventure" at the moment because it would pay too great a price.