Sleiman: Lebanese factions should realize the importance of international assistance

                     
Lebanese President Michel Sleiman expressed his hope on Monday that Lebanese factions realize the importance of international assistance provided for Lebanon following various meetings held in New York, asking them to work faithfully and meet this opportunity by forming a cabinet that represents the entire Lebanese nation and resuming national dialogue sessions.                  

On another note, President Sleiman held talks with caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel who briefed him on the country's current security situation as well as developments pertaining to the Lebanese hostages in Syria's Aazaz and the victims of the asylum boat that sank off the coast of Indonesia.                

Sleiman also met with the head of the Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc MP Mohammad Raad who discussed with him the latest political developments and efforts exerted to form a government.                     

On Friday September 26, dozens of Lebanese nationals hailing from the towns of Akkar were reported dead after a boat carrying them to Australia sank off the coast of Indonesia.                                   

Preliminary information showed that an Iraqi national known as Abou Salah was in charge of transferring the persons to Indonesia before reaching Australia.                      

On the 22nd of May 2012, eleven Lebanese pilgrims were kidnapped on their way back from Iran by insurgents hoping to use them for a prisoner swap. Only two have so far been released.             

Their families accuse Ankara of sponsoring the kidnapping and the Lebanese government of inaptness in this regard.