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Bush vows to back Lebanon independence
US President George W. Bush vows to back Lebanon's sovereignty and independence in a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart Michel Suleiman. "We're most impressed by the national dialogue that you're holding in an attempt to seek reconciliation.... Our mission is your mission: A country that is strong, and capable, and a country where people can live in peace," Bush told reporters on Thursday after talks with Suleiman at the White House. In response, Suleiman showed appreciation for the US support for Lebanon. He also pledged to build 'a prosperous and democratic Lebanon.' "We are also here to reaffirm the need to liberate all Lebanese territories; and also to make it very clear that the future of Palestinian refugees is in their homeland, not in Lebanon," he said. There are reports that some 400,000 Palestinian refugees are living in 12 camps in Lebanon. Michel Suleiman was elected Lebanese President and sworn into office on May 25, 2008. His election put an end to a months-long political crisis in Lebanon. Before assuming office as president, he held the position of commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces. After LAF commander Emile Lahoud took office as president in November of 1998, Suleiman succeeded him, taking his place in December. Posted by: Fred 2008-09-26 |
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