France’s President Francois Hollande started his two-day visit to Lebanon by meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri at al-Nejmeh Square in central Beirut, where he was welcomed by an official ceremony.
During a joint press conference held following the meeting, Speaker Berri said that he discussed the French president the military grant offered to the Lebanese Armed Forces and the maritime borders, as well as the issues of the refugees and terrorism.
For his part, Hollande stressed that France will always stand by Lebanon and will remain keen on boosting its security and economy.
“I want to come back to Lebanon as soon as possible to meet with the president, but the response is in your hands and the hands of the Lebanese deputies,” he stated, stressing the need to resolve the presidential deadlock.
After his meeting with Berri, Hollande held talks with Prime Minister Tammam Salam at the Grand Serail.
During a joint press conference held following the meeting, PM Salam said that the French president expressed his keenness on Lebanon’s unity, sovereignty, independence and security, stressing the need to elect a new president.
Salam added that he called on Hollande to resume the French efforts in urging the Lebanese to hold the presidential elections.
In turn, Hollande pointed out that France will work on offering Lebanon immediate assistance to enhance the Lebanese army’s military capabilities in fighting terrorism, adding that the attacks that hit Lebanon and France were targeting the countries' freedom, pluralism and diversity.
On the issue of the refugees, Hollande vowed a French aid for the refugees in Lebanon reaching 50 million euros for the current year, in addition to 100 million euros to be provided over the three upcoming years.