Suleiman, Rice Discuss U.S. Support for Lebanese Armed Forces
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has reiterated the Bush administration”s support for Lebanon in all fields, including the army and security forces, Baabda Palace said in a statement.
It said that Rice”s comments came on Monday during a meeting with President Michel Suleiman at New York”s Waldorf Astoria hotel where the Lebanese head of state is staying.
Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh also attended the talks.
The statement said that Suleiman and Rice discussed about the situation in Lebanon in the aftermath of the national dialogue that was launched at the Baabda Palace on Sept. 16. They also talked about Lebanese-Syrian relations, monitoring of the border between the two countries and the issue of arms.
Suleiman told Rice that Lebanon, the United States and other developed countries share the same humanitarian values, and called for continued U.S. support for Lebanon and its armed forces so that they could face all dangers and challenges.
Suleiman stressed that any solution in the Middle East won”t be comprehensive unless Palestinian refugees return to their homeland.
Late Monday, Suleiman and the first lady attended a welcoming ceremony hosted by U.S. President George Bush.
Suleiman is to address the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday.