Lebanon's reforms not easy: PM
CGTN
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Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said Saturday that the main priority of his government is to implement reforms, which is a very hard task, local media reported.
"Reaching this goal in Lebanon is not an easy task because different political parties do not have one common agenda for implementing reforms," Hariri was quoted as saying by the National News Agency.
Hariri's remarks came at the Serail Creativity Forum, a technology event for the youths.
A man holds a Lebanese flag in Beirut, Lebanon, November 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

A man holds a Lebanese flag in Beirut, Lebanon, November 22, 2018. /VCG Photo

Hariri said that he has the intention to make several important changes in Lebanon despite the resistance by some politicians.
"We hope that with you, Lebanon's youths, we will be able to implement all needed changes," he said while addressing a group of young people taking part in the forum.
Hariri also announced that the CEDRE program will start this year with lots of projects that will create job opportunities for the Lebanese youths in infrastructure and technology.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, March 22, 2019. /VCG Photo‍

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in Beirut, March 22, 2019. /VCG Photo‍

The CEDRE is an international conference which pledged to release 11 billion U.S. dollars in loans and donations for Lebanon to help the country's ailing infrastructure on condition that the country makes serious reforms.

U.S. stands by Lebanon army

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday that the United States will continue to support the Lebanese army, the National News Agency reported.
"We will keep on supporting the Lebanese army, our strategic partner in fighting against terrorism," Pompeo was quoted as saying during his meeting with Armed Forces Commander Joseph Aoun.
The United States is the biggest provider of military aid to Lebanon. The Lebanese army has received a total of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in military aid from successive U.S. administrations since the war with Israel in 2006.
Pompeo said that Washington is committed to working continuously with Lebanon on preserving the country's peace and prosperity.
Pompeo has ended a two-day visit to Lebanon where he held discussions with Lebanese officials focusing on Hezbollah and other issues of interest to both countries.
Source(s): Xinhua News Agency