Germany Ready to Help Lebanon Control Border with Syria
German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday expressed interest in Syrian-Lebanese relations "more than anytime before."
She told visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman that Germany is ready to help Lebanon control its border with Syria.
"In the past, when obstructions got in the way of the two countries (Syria and Lebanon), Germany was unable to come out with any solution," Merkel said at a joint press conference with Suleiman.
"Today, however, (our) concern for helping Lebanon has increased," she added.
Merkel said a plan to develop border towns and provide residents with assistance will "largely contribute to border control and end smuggling."
She said Germany”s expertise in border control is "superb."
Suleiman, for his part, said Merkel stressed Germany”s adherence to Lebanon”s unity, sovereignty, stability and prosperity.
He said Merkel also conveyed Germany”s support to government institutions as well as the processes of national dialogue and inter-Lebanese reconciliation.
Suleiman said Merkel expressed willingness to provide Lebanon with "support mechanisms" for parliamentary elections which the government is committed to hold in the spring of 2009.