Lebanon’s President calls for proclamation of a ‘secular state’

Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun has called for the proclamation of a “secular state.”

His call came in a televised address to mark the upcoming centenary of the Lebanese state, AFP reported.

“I call for the proclamation of Lebanon as a secular state,” Aoun said.

According to AFP, he said such a state was the only way “of protecting and preserving pluralism” and creating real unity.

“Lebanon’s youth are calling for change… for them and for their future,” said the 85-year-old president, who has long been accused by protesters of being out of touch with the country’s youth.

Meanwhile, a French President Emmanuel Macron is set to land in the country on Monday on his second visit in weeks to hammer home the need for reform in the wake of a deadly port blast that killed at least 188 people and wounded thousands.