Sleiman asks Kahwaji to provide Foreign Ministry with reports on Syrian shelling

President Michel Sleiman reiterated on Thursday his call for holding an international conference to discuss the issue pertaining to the distribution of the refugees fleeing Syria to neighboring countries, or the building of camps in Syria away from conflict areas, close to the Lebanese, Jordanian, Iraqi, and Turkish borders, and protected by United Nations forces.           

On another note, Sleiman asked the Lebanese Armed Forces Chief Jean Kahwaji to provide copies of security reports to the foreign ministry, regarding Syrian shelling that targeted locations in the mountainous regions of Arsal in Lebanon on Wednesday, as well as the incident of March 18th.              

Sleiman and Kahwaji also tackled Lebanon's security situation as well as the measures taken by the LAF to maintain civil peace, stability and security.             

Separately, Sleiman received Cypriot Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism George Lakkotrypis and discussed with him the ongoing cooperation between both countries, stressing the importance of promoting bilateral relations, concerning the exploration for oil and gas in the shared areas between both countries.         

Among Sleiman’s visitors was UNRWA Commissioner-General, Filippo Grandi who discussed Lebanon’s difficult situation regarding the issue of absorbing further Syrian refugees.   

In this context, Grandi promised to raise the issue as well as that of the international conference proposed by President Sleiman, during his meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon expected to be held on Friday.