Hollande in Beirut Sunday: To Renew Support for Lebanon’s Institutions

Local Editor

"As-Safir" Lebanese newspaper revealed Friday "The French President Francois Hollande is scheduled to arrive in Beirut on Sunday for a three-hour visit to meet with his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Suleiman."

According to "as-Safir", "Hollande-Suleiman's meeting is to be followed by an expanded one and then a joint press conference."
"The French President will arrive in Beirut coming from Saudi Arabia Kingdom," it added.

Meanwhile, a well-informed diplomatic source unveiled to "as-Safir" that "The significance of this visit, which comes at a critical Lebanese period as well as a sensitive regional situation, forms a renewed proof of the international community's keenness to protect Lebanon and preserve it from any negative repercussions."

"The visit is of special importance, " the source stated, and noted "It reflects Paris' strong and firm solidarity with Lebanon."
He further confirmed that Hollande's visit indicates his country's "support to the Lebanese constitutional institutions, headed by the presidency, and keenness on Lebanon's national unity."
"It also backs Suleiman's efforts to maintain stability and security via dialogue with all Lebanese sides as well as the effort of the Lebanese institutions to continue work and preserve the country's security and stability," the source mentioned.

In parallel, he asserted that "Hollande's visit lies within France's commitment to Lebanon's security, stability, independence and sovereignty."
" Through its special and historic relations with Lebanon, France forms a solid base for the international security umbrella to Lebanon," "as-Safir" diplomatic source added.

He also concluded "France is ready to intervene upon any new sensitive development."


Source: as-Safir daily, Translated and Edited by moqawama.org