Caretaker Minister of Social Affairs Hector al-Hajjar said, following a meeting chaired by caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail, “We briefed Mikati on the progress of work in the “Aman” program, the number of beneficiaries, monthly payments, and the assessment of the stage before moving to a new stage, and Mikati praised With the team working on the program, its transparency and professionalism, and wished us to complete the work to reach 150,000 beneficiaries, as their number has now reached 76,000 beneficiaries. 48,000 students are in the first stage of registration, hoping that in the second stage they will have transportation, and in the third stage, stationery over a period of nine months.
Al-Hajjar was asked: “Why are continuous social programs not being put in place to help the Lebanese people socially and healthily?” He replied: “The “Aman” program was developed following the subsidy was lifted from citizens, and we are bound by it, but I am from a school that encourages development projects and social protection, and since day one We have worked and are working on a strategy for social protection for the poor and for their support, not only in the financial aspect, but through programs that allow them to have protection already in the health and educational issues and others. Only to pay money to those in need, but we must support them with permanent programs to reduce the health and educational bill, as well as for people with special needs.
He was also asked: “There is a danger to the middle class, so what is the solution to re-strengthen its role?” Al-Hajjar replied: “These words are true, but the plan for advancement must be directed towards reshaping the middle class and protecting the poor, meaning that the plan for advancement must go in two directions, protection The poor, and the creation of a new class, the middle class, in order for the economy to remain buoyant and go towards growth.
Mikati met with Finance Minister Youssef Khalil, and during the meeting they discussed the ministry’s financial and economic affairs.
Mikati met with Representative Ihab Matar, and during the meeting they discussed the general situation, and he met with the Director General of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba.
