President Sleiman says pinning hopes on Russian proposal for Syria

President Michel Sleiman asserted on Tuesday that he sensed positive feedback from world powers on distancing Lebanon away from regional crisis.

He also voiced his confidence that a new government that includes all Lebanese factions will be formed, urging all Lebanese leaders to respect the Baabda Declaration.

On Syria, he hoped that the Russian proposal to solve the situation in Syria would develop.

The Syrian government has accepted a Russian proposal to put its chemical weapons under international control to avoid a possible U.S. military strike, Interfax news agency quoted Syria's foreign minister as saying on Tuesday.

The U.S. cites intelligence reports as saying the attack killed at least 1,429 people, including more than 400 children, though other estimates are much lower.

Assad's regime denies the allegations and blames rebels, whom it calls terrorists, for staging strikes to gain international sympathy.


LBCI/REUTERS