Suleiman Confident of Formation of Govt. Capable of Withstanding Local, International Challenges

President Michel Suleiman voiced on Tuesday his confidence that a new government that includes all powers will be formed in Lebanon.

He expressed before his visitors his confidence that a government “capable of withstanding local and international developments would be formed.”

He also renewed his call on all factions to respect the Baabda Declaration and disassociate Lebanon from regional conflicts.

The president stressed the importance of unity in Lebanon during the critical regional situation.

Addressing the possibility of a U.S.-led strike against Syria, Suleiman told his visitors that he “sensed from foreign powers a keenness to keep Lebanon away from any regional unrest.”

On this note, he hoped that the Russian proposal to resolve the situation in Syria would be developed and adopted.

Suleiman also telephoned Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat to condole him over the death of his mother.

The United States has been leading efforts to garner international support for a military strike against Syria in light of reports that its regime had used chemical weapons in an attack on August 21.

On Monday, however, Russia proposed for the Syrian regime to cede control of its chemical arms and subsequently have them destroyed, having seized a remark by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry that such a move, done "without delay" could avert a military strike.