Sleiman from Argentina: to grant Arab people their freedom

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said on Thursday that he had discussed with Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez the necessity to accelerate the searching process to assure a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, stressing that the Lebanese state refuses to naturalize Palestinian refugees but instead supports their right of return.

Sleiman also emphasized that it is necessary to help the Arab people in this transitional period to achieve freedom, reform and democracy. Sleiman added that it is crucial to find a political solution for the Syrian crisis through dialogue, with the help of the UN and the international community.

The Lebanese President called as well for a reform in the global financial system to allow international justice.

For her part, Argentina’s president described Lebanon as the “jewel of the Middle East”, stressing that the cooperation between the two countries should be enhanced.

Fernandez underlined that it is crucial to find a solution for the Palestinian issue since it’s the "key to peace in the Middle East," adding that the Palestinians have the right to live freely in an independent sovereign state.

Sleiman had arrived in Argentina on Wednesday following a trip to the Peruvian capital Lima on Monday where he headed an Arab group in the third summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA).