President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, said on Friday that a nation that didn't enjoy full sovereignty and independence could never build itself and rise independently.

"This is an era when rights return to their owners," Aoun said as marking the massacre of October 13, 1990.

The October 13 Massacre took place during the final period of the Lebanese Civil War, when hundreds of Lebanese Army soldiers were executed after they surrendered to the Syrian Army.

"We hope that parliamentary elections will bring forth a new mentality and mindset that cope with the changes taking place in all the countries of the world," Aoun told a visiting delegation from the Antonine University, headed by Father Michel Jalakh.

Briefing his visitors on the achievements of his presidential mandate, Aoun added: "Among many other things, we have introduced changes to the diplomatic life through new formations, not to mention that and our ambassadors across the world are now tasked with new missions, with a modern thinking approach."

Aoun later received head of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Lebanon, Christophe Martin, who briefed him on the humanitarian and social missions of the ICRC marking the 50th anniversary since the beginning of its mission across Lebanese territories.

Among these activities is the organization of support and assistance programs for Syrian Refugees, as well as for Lebanese nationals.

For his part, the President praised the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), especially its "activities and initiatives in cooperation with the Lebanese Red Cross."

Aoun also stressed the paramount importance of pursuing efforts in search of a number of Lebanese nationals who went missing during wartime. He also briefed Martin on the interest the government in rehabilitating existing prisons and constructing new ones, stressing as well the importance of supporting Lebanon to ensure the necessary funds towards this end.

At the political level, Aoun welcomed at Baabda Palace MP Marwan Fares. The pair broached the general situation in the country, as well as political developments and preparations leading to the adoption of the new general budget. Talks also touched on the mechanisms needed to implement the new electoral law.

President Aoun finally met with Dr. Georges Saili, head of the Syndicate of Pharmacists, who briefed him on the development of this sector in Lebanon and the work done by the syndicate to develop pharmacists' work and linking pharmacies with an electronic communications network.

The delegation also extended an invitation to the President to attend the opening of the 25th Pharmaceutical Conference, which will be held on 17, 18 and 19 November 2017

Source: NNA