The President of the Republic Michel Aoun stressed yesterday the need to set specific taxes that boost the economy, saying he is not justifying the newly imposed taxes and understands the anger of the people. Aoun called for setting an economic plan which clarifies the use of tax revenues and enhances the mode of collection through proper implementation of relevant laws and regulation of the generated proceeds. Corruption, Aoun maintained, consumes half of the state revenues President Aoun, who was speaking during a meeting with a broad delegation of the National Consultative Gathering of Baalbek-Hermel Clans and Families, disclosed that he is collaborating with the government and authorities concerned to develop a comprehensive strategy that promotes a resilient economy and constitutes a plan of action to gradually improves the situation. “It is impossible to eradicate corruption that has been amassed over 27 years in only a few months in the life of the new presidency and government, Aoun stated. He concluded by asserting that despite the extensive internal and external crises which weigh heavily on the performance of public and state institutions, he counts much on the joint efforts of the Lebanese people to fight corruption as he pledged during his inauguration and independence day speeches . (AL Mustaqbal, Al Hayat, Al Diyar March 23, 2017)