Suleiman Kicks Off 8-Day Tour to Africa
President Michel Suleiman headed on Tuesday to Africa on an 8-day tour at the head of a delegation, the state-run National News Agency reported.
The President will hold talks with senior African officials in Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria in addition to the Lebanese community in those countries.
Suleiman is accompanied by first lady Wafaa and is heading a delegation that includes Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, Deputy Prime Minister Samir Moqbel, Agriculture Minister Hussein Hajj Hassan, Sports and Youth Minister Faisal Karami, Tourism Minister Fadi Abboud and several businessmen.
The president is expected to return on March 20 to chair a cabinet session the next day at the Baabda Palace.
According to sources close to the president, the tour comes in light of the economic boom in Africa to attract investments to Lebanon.
The sources told As Safir newspaper earlier that the visit will focus on fortifying ties with the African countries that have promising investment sectors.
11 years
8 day tour of Africa for what? Trying to get support from third world countries? I don't think you can afford touring the world Mr. President when your country is on the verge of collapse... Unless you think that everything is under control?
11 years
STOP spending the poor Lebanese money on useless travel....Lebanon budget deafest in the Billion stay home
11 years
Shame you people do not value the Lebanese diaspora in Africa's contribution to our economy, in terms of employment, capital remittances, market for Lebanese products, market for Lebanese traders exporting their wares, political support with international agencies amongst other contributions.
The fact that it is the fastest growing continent and soon enough will have sovereign funds. That, Chinese, Indian and Western investors are rushing and in some cases waiting at the door to invest, while needless to say Lebanon's economy and the structure of its economy and its public sector, as well as its security and political situation end environment speak for themselves.
Enough Lebanese chauvinism. The real joke is convincing the Lebanese in Africa to invest in Lebanon, not that our President is visiting Africa.
11 years
How about extending it to 596 days?
11 years
Did anyone feel the BIG difference?
Enjoy the safari mister president. Don't forget to go giraff hunting, so you come back experienced to deal with the one in Damascus!