Report: Hollande to Visit Lebanon Sunday, Hold Talks with Suleiman
French President Francois Hollande is set to arrive in Beirut on Sunday for a three-hour visit to meet with his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Suleiman, As Safir newspaper reported.
A diplomatic source told the newspaper published on Friday that the “significance of this visit is that it comes amid the delicate situation that Lebanon and the region are passing through.”
“It indicates the international community's keenness to safeguard Lebanon and prevent any negative repercussions” from having an impact on the country, the source said.
It pointed out that “this visit is to express France's solidarity with Lebanon and its support to the constitutional institutions in the country... as it backs Suleiman's efforts to maintain stability and security.”
The source noted that France is committed to Lebanon's “security, stability, independence and sovereignty.”
Later, a high-ranking official at Suleiman's office confirmed the report.
"President Hollande will visit Beirut for a few hours on Sunday for talks with President Sleiman," the official said, explaining that they will have breakfast together and then hold a press conference."
The political crisis in Lebanon deepened the gap between the March 14-led opposition and the March 8 alliance after the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Wissam al-Hasan on October 19.
Suleiman is carrying out consultations with various political powers on the possibility of resuming the all-party talks, however, the opposition insists on the resignation of the cabinet as a main condition to continue any political activity with its foes, while the March 8 coalition rejects the formation of a new government on allegations that there's no alternative.
Hollande, according to As Safir, will also hold a joint press conference with Suleiman.
His trip will be the first by a French president since the previous head of state, Nicolas Sarkozy, visited in June 2008.
The newspaper reported that Prime Minister Najib Miqati will reconsider his scheduled visit to France on November 18 in light of Holland's “sudden” visit to Beirut.
The report noted that Miqati is set to kick off a European tour on Sunday including to Bulgaria and Hungary.
over 11 years
laken he should skype with Sleiman!
over 11 years
it is a very confidential and secret visit:in the context of wissam el hasan file( dont forget that el hassan was assassinated 12 hours after arriving beirut from paris)
N.B. the courrier of hassan was lost.
over 11 years
dear Ghada, do not forget the 58 paratroopers blown up in 1983,in the name of Jihad; so, President Hollande is right, 3 hours is enough for Lebanon; thanks God that Westerners still consider and respect Lebanon! Alas! some savage lebanese, like to kill Westerners...
over 11 years
loool teta, please! at least take a taxi or something!
over 11 years
i meant Afghani but aghani works too!
over 11 years
I don't know why hollande bugs me so much, I mean it's not my business that he never married the mother of this children and then dumped her for a new girlfriend who is certifiably crazy. At least Sarkozy who got dumped by his crazy wife who hooked up with a moroccan, at least he rebounded by marrying a supermodel and starting a whole new family. Sure Carla Bruni is also nuts but to give him credit, he is so pro marriage that he did it three times! So far.
over 11 years
loooool I would love to see a photo of him carrying a gift basket when he comes to Lebanon, now that's public relation!!!!
Three hours? why not be brave Mr. Hollande and spend the night? walaw, we don't deserve even that minor level of moral support? three hours? we're now a quick aghani pit stop!