Lebanon's president vows to eradicate corruption

Lebanon's President Michel Aoun pledged Sunday that he will not allow any politician to violate the constitution as part of his vision for a "strong state," stressing that "corruption will be eradicated" during his presidential tenure.

"Reaching the presidency is not our goal and the goal is to build a country that is strong through its national unity," Aoun said in front of popular delegations that flocked to the Baabda Palace to congratulate him on his election.

"A strong state is one built upon a constitution respected by all politicians, and no one will be able to violate the constitution from now on," the president said.

"Today, we can stand proudly because we have created our national unity and we will now begin the second journey, which is building the country," he added.

He vowed that Lebanon "will not be subordinate to any other country."

"Non-politicized security forces must preserve the security of the Lebanese and they should be entrusted with implementing the laws, and these are not empty slogans," Aoun stressed.

Outlining his vision for the future of Lebanon, Aoun said "we will exploit our natural resources and there are high hopes and a will among all Lebanese. That's why we have reached the presidency carrying developmental projects."

"Corruption will be eradicated and the environment will become clean once again," the president promised.

Aoun was elected president Monday ending two and a half years of presidential vacuum that started with the end of the six-year tenure of former President Michel Suleiman.

In addition to pledges of economic growth and security, Aoun said in his oath of office that Lebanon must work to ensure Syrian refugees "can return quickly" to their country.

Aoun also pledged to endorse an "independent foreign policy" and to protect Lebanon from "the fires burning across the region." Endit