REPORT: Palestinian President Abbas meets Mikati, says refugees under Lebanese State’s protection

          
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met on Thursday with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati at the Grand Serail whereby he stressed that the Palestinian Authority does not interfere in the affairs of Arab countries, including those of Lebanon.              

In a press conference held following the meeting, Abbas stressed that Palestinians do not need weapons since both the Lebanese people and its army protect the Palestinian refugees “who are guest here.”             


Abbas arrived to Lebanon Wednesday on a three-day official visit where he is set to meet with a number of senior officials.              

On Tuesday he held talks with President Michel Sleiman at the Baabda Palace whereby he confirmed that Palestinian factions abide by the Lebanese cabinet’s decision regarding the safety and security of the country and the possession of arms in the camps.            

By long-standing convention, the Lebanese army does not enter the country's 12 refugee camps, leaving security inside to the Palestinians themselves.             

Separately, the state-run National News Agency said Abbas granted Lebanese Singer Ragheb Alameh the Palestinian citizenship in a ceremony held on Thursday at 9:30 at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut.


To watch the full LBCI report, please click on the video above.