International News
Sleiman meets Ban and other world leaders in New York
By NOW
Sep 25, 2008 - 4:34:57 AM

President Michel Sleiman continued his meetings in New York on Wednesday, meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who said that Lebanon was a model of diversity in the Middle East. Ban welcomed the resumption of dialogue between Lebanese leaders and said he was satisfied with the path Lebanese-Syrian relations were taking, adding that he hoped the two countries would exchange ambassadors soon.

After the meeting, Sleiman said that Lebanon was committed to international resolutions, and thanked the UNIFL peacekeeping forces for their help in implementing UN resolutions in South Lebanon. Sleiman also said the naturalization of the Palestinians in Lebanon would have dangerous repercussions for the country, especially since it would be unconstitutional and put undue strain on the country.

Sleiman also met with Brazilian President Ignatius Lola Di Silva and discussed bilateral relations and the need to strengthen ties between the two countries, as there are 10 million people of Lebanese origin living in Brazil, many of whom, Sleiman stressed, hold important political and economic posts.

Sleiman then met with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad al- Sabbah and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, who said he, like Ban, was also satisfied with the national dialogue in Lebanon and the resolution of Syrian-Lebanese diplomatic ties. Wen also announced an aid package of 15 million Chinese Yuan (over $2.1 million) to support previously-agreed upon projects in Lebanon, and 8 million Chinese Yuan (over $1.1 million) to train Lebanese military officers.

Sleiman met in his hotel with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who invited Sleiman to visit Germany to discuss ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Sleiman thanked Germany for supplying equipment to the UNIFIL force that supervises the international marine borders around Lebanon. Sleiman also hailed Germany’s role in the prisoner exchange between Hezbollah and Israel in August and called on the country to support Lebanon in blocking the naturalization of Palestinians, “because true peace cannot be completed unless their right to return is preserved.” He also encouraged the international community to open up to Syria, as it was a basic player in realizing peace in the region.