Aoun Reviews Higher Education and Public Sector Issues, Lawmakers Stress Reform, Elections and Development Projects

Baabda: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on Monday held a series of meetings at Baabda Palace addressing higher education, public sector reforms, electoral issues, and regional development projects. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Aoun discussed the state of Lebanon's university sector with American University of Beirut President Dr. Fadlo Khuri, highlighting the importance of scientific research and its positive role in advancing and strengthening higher education. Separately, MP Firas Hamdan said talks focused on the challenges facing Lebanon and the achievements made under the current presidency and government. He stressed the need to open an extraordinary parliamentary session between March 1 and 15 to approve public sector salary increases requiring legislative endorsement. Hamdan also reiterated that holding elections without a megacenter system and without expatriates voting for all 128 MPs would be illegal and undemocratic, noting that Aoun emphasized elections must be h eld on time. MP Ahmad Rustom affirmed full support for Aoun's reform agenda, raising issues related to the Lebanese University, justice for public school teachers, the establishment of a Lebanese University complex in Akkar, and activating Qlayaat Airport to boost economic activity.