Report: Diplomatic Mobility Focused on Army Support, Ending Vacuum and Easing Refugees Burden

The overall initiatives and stances that were conveyed by international delegates to Lebanon lately have focused on three major issues including supporting the army, help ease the burden of Syrian refugees and ending the presidential vacuum, An Nahar daily reported on Friday.

Sources following up closely on the international diplomatic mobility in Lebanon which intensified recently told the daily: “The overall initiatives, aid and stances that have been conveyed by delegates and representatives to Beirut focus mainly on three major issues that the whole western and international community agree on.”

“The strong support of the Lebanese army is a fundamental pillar to preserve stability and confront terrorism. Pressuring the Lebanese officials to end the almost two-year presidential vacuum and to increase support in the case of Syrian refugees which is burdening Lebanon and threatening its infrastructure, its economy and social situation pending a proposed solution to Syria,” added the source on condition of anonymity.

It added that the upcoming visit of French President Francoise Hollande to Lebanon on April 16 and 17 carries an essential message in reaffirming France's position in backing in light of the repercussions of the Syrian war.

The daily anticipated that Hollande will not come to Lebanon empty handed and that he will bring some solutions or a road map to present to the Lebanese.

On Thursday British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond visited Lebanon where he held a series of meetings with Lebanese officials.

Last week on a two-day official visit, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon had focused on the repercussions of the Syrian crisis on Lebanon and the refugee burden.