Suleiman Meets al-Rahi, Urges Shami to Intensify Efforts to Ensure Lebanese’s Safe Return from Abidjan

President Michel Suleiman held talks on Friday with Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi and former Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir at the Baabda palace.

The president congratulated al-Rahi for his election, commending Sfeir’s tenure as patriarch for 25 years and awarding him the Order of the Cedars.

Suleiman also held a close-door meeting with al-Rahi during which they discussed matters of joint interest between the presidency and patriarchate.

A luncheon banquet was later thrown in al-Rahi and Sfeir’s honor.

The president the held talks with caretaker Foreign Minister Ali Shami who informed him of the measures being taken to evacuate the Lebanese from the Ivory Coast.

Suleiman urged Shami to intensify his contacts with concerned states, especially France, to protect the Lebanese in the African country and ensure their safe return to their homeland.