Mikati meets Ban, to deliver a speech at midnight

During his meeting with Mikati, Ban expressed his concern towards the situation in Syria, stressing that the more the crisis aggravates, the more the neighboring countries to Syria will be affected.

Ban also praised the self-distancing policy from the events in Syria the Lebanese cabinet is maintaining, stressing that the stability in Southern Lebanon is essential.

Commenting on the protests against the "Innocence of Muslims", Ban said: "The anti-Muslim film is demeaning to all religions, however the violent reactions are unacceptable".

For his part, PM Najib Mikati told the UN Secretary General that Lebanon respects the UN Charter and the international resolutions, emphasizing that he is trying to isolate the Lebanese state from the neighboring events and to immune it against the Syrian crisis repercussions.

In this context, Mikati is expected to wind up his New York trip with an address to the 67th United Nations General Assembly at midnight.  


Mikati's meetings in NY:  

Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati met with Cypriot President Demetris Christofias, in presence of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Minister, Adnan Mansour.

Mikati also had an audience with Libya's Prime Minister Mohamed Yousef el-Magariaf with talks reportedly touching on the paramount importance of beefing up trade and economic ties between both countries.

The Prime Minister also discussed regional developments and bilateral relations with Egyptian President, Mohammad Morsi.

Kuwaiti Prime Minister, Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, received at his place of residence, PM Mikati, with talks touching on "the excellent Lebanese-Kuwait bilateral ties" as the Prime Minister said.

Mikati also held similar talks with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani, Turkish Prime Minister, Ahmet Davut Oglo, and Bulgaria's Foreign Minister, Nikolai Mladenov. 

The Lebanese Prime Minister met  as well with KSA's Vice Foreign Minister Abdul Aziz Ben Abdullah.

The Lebanese President Michel Sleiman was contacted by PM Mikati who briefed him on the meetings he had held with regional and international counterparts on the sidelines of UN General Assembly.