Aoun: Corruption in Lebanon Has Become "Institutionalized"

Lebanese President Michel Aoun announced on Wednesday, that he will remain in office, bearing all his constitutional responsibilities, according to Sputnik News agency.

In a televised statement, Aoun said, “I will continue to bear my responsibilities, in the designation and formation processes and in every constitutional position and stance against all those preventing our people from reform and from building the state.”

He also added that corruption in his country has become "Institutionalized".

The Lebanese President also wondered why several major development projects remain unaccomplished.

“Where are the dam projects while our water resources are being drained into rivers and oceans? Where is the rescue initiative to solve the economic crisis and to salvage Lebanon from the repercussions of the Beirut port blast? Where is the electricity plan that has been kept in the drawers since 2010 with no approval or implementation despite our insistence on it?,” he asked.

"Reform remained just a slogan that officials and politicians repeat, and they are completely opposite to it. They believed in their authoritarian and personal interests with perfection and dedication until we reached the point that institutional corruption became organized corruption par excellence,” Aoun added.

 "Our region has witnessed many and profound political changes, and these changes have not shown all their results yet and may turn things upside down," the Lebanese President stated.