Below are excerpts from the policy statement read to Parliament by Prime Minister Hariri on November 9, 1992.

Introduction

“If this government represents the new hopes and aspirations of the Lebanese, your parliament is the product of the hopes that will enhance the process of democracy in this exceptional period of Lebanon’s history. Therefore, the government depends on this assembly to carry out its role completely, based on the [Lebanese] Constitution which guarantees solidarity, cooperation and balance between the powers of the State...

“As it presents its policy statement to you, the government looks forward to your cooperation in achieving the goals of our people, [as relates to] liberation, reform and reconstruction. For that purpose, the government stands before you calling for [your] confidence. This confidence is an essential condition for the success of this government which regards the following as its priorities: liberating the land from occupation; liberating the State from the after-effects of the war; liberating the administration from corruption; and liberating the citizen from the chains of anarchy. With confidence we can work together to serve Lebanon. We are convinced that the key to restoring confidence in a just, capable, and responsible state is the renewal of confidence in the process of national reconciliation. The government is determined to comply with the [Taif] national reconciliation charter, and promises to cooperate with Parliament to pursue its implementation in its letter and spirit.

South Lebanon

“Israel’s continuing occupation of Lebanese territory and its repeated attacks on our people, remain at the top of the government’s priorities. The government insists on the right of Lebanon and the Lebanese territory by all means at its disposal, based on the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While the government appreciates the role of [UNIFIL forces in South Lebanon], it will insist on demanding the implementation of [Security Council] resolution 425, and will work to establish State sovereignty throughout Lebanon by completing the deployment of the Lebanese Army to the internationally recognized borders. The government will also work to support the steadfastness of our people in the South and the West Biqa`, and will seek to free those detained or imprisoned by the Israeli enemy and its agents.

Ties with Syria

“Relations between Lebanon and Syria, based on common history, strong bonds, and mutual interests, are the concern of the two countries only. These relations will remain solid, free from personal whims, and will be protected against individual interests and foreign interference, and will represent a source of strength for both nations. In this respect, the government will work to implement the Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination through the institutions established under the treaty.

The Displaced

“The government affirms its commitment to providing for the return of displaced Lebanese to their homes in accordance with the Taif Agreement. Previous governments have gone a long way in this respect, and our government will take practical steps to speed up the process. To do that, the government has decided to establish a special Ministry for the Displaced.

The Judiciary

“Under the Constitution, the judiciary is one of the three powers of the State. For it to be effective, all officials and citizens must submit to the rule of law. [T]he fundamental rights of the Lebanese will be protected in the spirit of the Constitution. This is why efforts must be accelerated to establish the Constitutional Council [established by the Taif Agreement to supervise the constitutionality of laws and to arbitrate conflicts arising from parliamentary and presidential elections.]

Public Administration

“There is no need to stress the importance of public administration to the development of society and to economic revival, given the diversity of duties and tasks assumed by the modern state.

“The government is aware that the long years of war, characterized by the absence of supervisory bodies and the spread of corruption, affected the administration, and that it must now be rehabilitated and modernized. Thus, in line with the national reconciliation charter and within the framework of a strong central authority, the government plans to expand the powers of the muhafiz (heads of muhafazas), and the qaimmaqam (heads of qadas), and ensure that all the administrative institutions of state are present at high levels in all districts to meet peoples’ needs and serve the public, thus encouraging citizens to remain in their towns and villages.

“The implementation of administrative reform requires the lifting of immunity for a certain period of time on all civil servants and public sector employees, and the adoption of a policy of reward and sanction to get rid of corrupt employees, and reward [honest] ones. This also requires reactivating the Civil Service Council, the Central Inspection Commission, the General Disciplinary Council, and other oversight bodies.

“At this time, administrative reform takes on a special importance for two reasons: it is predominantly through such reform that the credibility of the State will be reinforced, both internally and externally. And reform will serve to encourage investment, and facilitate the acquisition of credit and loans, when needed.

Employment, Education, and Health Care

“The modern state, whatever its political system, considers that one of its primary responsibilities is to insure that its citizens receive equal opportunities for employment, as well as guaranteeing an education for all, preserving public health, [and] raising standards of living by increasing national productivity. The government has also decided to establish a Ministry for Vocational and Technical Training.

Infrastructure, Industry, and Agriculture

“The government will also pay attention to modernizing the country’s infrastructure destroyed by the war. [This] includes improving the water and electricity networks.. the reopening and restoration of [Lebanon’s] principal roads, and the development of communications and telecommunications, taking into consideration the most recent developments in modern technology, without which Lebanon cannot aspire to regain its pivotal role as a business center in this part of the world. At the same time, the question of housing will be death with in depth by our government, which is conscious of the acuteness of the [housing] problem for citizens in general, and the young in particular.

“The government will pay special attention to industrial and agricultural development, and will encourage national production, the opening up of new markets for export, the implementation of the agricultural calendar, and a policy of rural development.

Tourism, Transport, and Information

“With the return of peace and stability, the government believes it is indispensable to insure that tourism will start again [in Lebanon]. This requires the restoration and the rehabilitation of the [different] tourist sectors, and encouraging investments in tourism. This assumes that we must pay special attention to the questions of the environment and pollution, and the government [has established] a Ministry of the Environment to deal with them. The government also intends to develop public and land transportation, as well as airports and ports, and to reequip them with [up to date equipment]. For this purpose, the government has created a separate Ministry of Transport.

“It must be underlined here that the new ministries, the majority of which will be established with personnel from already existing ministries, will not increase the financial burden of the Treasury.

“The government is determined to strengthen the official media, while protecting public and press freedoms, within the framework of a technical and administrative reorganization of the Ministry of Information. [The government will also] issue legislation to regulate all other media, within the confines of the law, [and] in the service of oudemocratic tradit...

Development, Reconstruction, and the Economy

“The socio-economic crisis which Lebanon is facing today presents two aspects which are linked to each other: development and reconstruction. We would like to stress three fundamental principles: (1) The consolidation of the free enterprise system which will be the basis for solving our economic problems.. (2) Development and reconstruction will not be achieved seriously and justly unless we have an accurate and scientific knowledge of the size and kind of problems we are facing... (3)Speeding up reconstruction will not mean ignoring other objectives, such as long-term growth...

“Rebuilding infrastructure and a firm socio-economic base is the first step toward long-term economic development... The government will also work to fight inflation and monopolies, and will seek to stabilize the Lebanese pound in order to re-establish confidence in the national currency, spur economic activity, and increase individual revenue. It goes without saying that the way to eliminate the deficit in the state budget is by cutting down expenditures and increasing revenues. To help achieve this, the government will reform the tax system and improve tax collection methods, particularly as relates to income tax and customs duties.

Draft Laws

“[A number of draft laws will soon be submitted to parliament for approval, and will deal with]: (1) A comprehensive economic development and reconstruction plan which will affect all regions and sectors; (2) the consolidation of the armed forces and security agencies; (3) the reorganization of the public administration, the creation of new ministries, and the integration of public bodies with certain public administrations..; (4) the reorganization of public services and the creation of mixed [private and public sector] companies.

“The government believes it necessary to revise certain laws, such as the law on naturalization, the law on municipalities, the law on administrative organization, the law on the civil service, as well as laws on building, tourism, rent, public administration, the status of civil servants and all employees in the public sector, taxes, money, credit, the stock exchange, and social security.

“The government will send draft laws to Parliament marked urgent to implement the previously-mentioned proposals. It hopes that Parliament will approve [these laws] so that the government will be able to accomplish its tasks.