Sleiman follows efforts to retrieve Lebanese nationals in Talkalakh

President Michel Sleiman met on Wednesday with the Secretary General of the Higher Lebanese-Syrian Council, Nasri Khoury, and the Lebanese Ambassador to Damascus, Miche Khoury, over the issue of Lebanese who were killed or went missing in the border town of Talkalakh.

Earlier today, Sleiman highlighted the importance to proceed with the policy adopted by the government and to abide by the Baabda Declaration and national dialogue, in order to protect Lebanon from turmoil."Our duty is not to send arms and gunmen to any side whatsoever in Syria," Sleiman stressed.

On a seperate note, Sleiman considered the passing away of the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East, Ignatius IV Hazim, as a great loss on both the Lebanese and Arab levels.

He also expressed his condolences for the Lebanese in general, and the Orthodox sect in particular in Lebanon and Syria.

Separately, the President met today at the Baabda presidential palace with Tourism Minister, Fadi Abboud, whereby the two discussed the current general situation.

He later received the General Security Chief, Brigadier General Abbas Ibrahim, with talks featuring high on the Directorate's work.

Moreover, Sleiman chaired a meeting with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, National Defense, and Economy and Trade, to finalize the program of the President's forthcoming visit to Greece.