Speaker Nabih Berri held talks on Thursday in Ain el-Tineh with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon who is on an official visit to Beirut.
The talks reportedly featured high over the local and regional developments, the demarcation of the maritime border, the role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the repercussions of the Syrian refugees’ crisis.
Berri noted that talks also tackled the recent cuts in the services provided by the UNRWA in Lebanon.
Ki-moon also met earlier with Prime Minister Tammam Salam whereby he asserted that the increase in the number of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon will increase the social and economic burdens on the country.
He also noted that his visit comes in order to find solutions for the refugees’ crisis.
Ki-moon reiterated the International support to the Lebanese Armed Forces to address the scourge of terrorism, adding that the International Community is ready to back Lebanon.
For his part, PM Salam urged “Lebanon's friends to continue on supporting its Lebanese army against terrorist threats.”
Earlier in the day, Ban paid a short visit to the UNIFIL headquarters in the southern town of Naqoura.
UNIFIL Commander Major General Luciano Portolano and senior UNIFIL officers greeted Ban upon his arrival at UNIFIL base.
The UN chief arrived in Beirut on Thursday morning for a two-day official visit.