The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, began the Cabinet session by saying: “I am pleased to begin the session by pointing out a positive matter that brings a lot of hope into the souls of the Lebanese, which is laying the foundation stone today for the expansion of the Port of Beirut. This is a good gesture for everyone, to which the Minister of Public Works and Transport contributed, and we hope that it will be followed by additional steps in the same context. It must be remembered that some time ago we asked all the ministries to develop projects that we would submit to the United Arab Emirates, and here we have received every welcome.” By Emirati officials and businessmen who expressed a desire to invest in Lebanon, and for this purpose two delegations have visited us so far.” He added: "I ask you (ministers) to deal with the utmost speed and seize the opportunities available to us to serve all the Lebanese, without getting into narrow boats. There are those who are impulsive and want to help us, and we welcome the matter, and all we have to do is coordinate between the relevant ministries to take advantage of all opportunities, so that the hoped-for projects can be launched. We only have to employ the positive trend towards us, for the benefit of Lebanon. Today the Minister of Energy informed us of positive data regarding electricity, and we must benefit from them." He continued: “With regard to the budget, the successive sessions that you hold to study it so that it is completed within the constitutional period specified for this purpose lead to more regularity of constitutional matters, knowing that this is the second time that the draft budget has been presented within the constitutional period.” He said: “We have received the calls of our people in Nabatieh, Tyre, and Arabsalim. I want to address them by saying: We have listened to your calls, and we are by your side, and we absolutely cannot be far from you. We also cannot help but make every effort to remain by your side and help you, and to secure all the elements of your steadfastness as much as possible. The time has come for the state to return to the south. This is all our responsibility and this is our duty towards our people, as the south is the basic part.” From Lebanon, and every ministry must provide what it has to confirm that we stand by our people without any negligence.”