Lebanon and Cyprus sign memorandum of understanding

Cypriot President Demetris Christofias arrived in Lebanon, presiding a delegation of ministers and officials.

President Michel Sleiman received Christofias at the Baabda palace whereby the two held bilateral talks and signed a memorandum of understanding on industrial and military cooperation.

Following their meeting, the two presidents held a joint press conference, during which President Sleiman said that it is crucial to enhance diplomatic efforts in order to find a political solution that allows the Syrians to meet their demands away from violence and extremism and that ensures the return of thousands of refugees who are currently in Lebanon.

Sleiman then added that the discussions between him and the Cypriot President featured high on the file of Oil and gas in the common maritime regions, stressing that the two agreed on enhancing cooperation between the two countries to extract these resources.

For his part, Christofias praised the self-distancing policy adopted by Lebanon in regards to the Syrian crisis and the humanitarian aid the Lebanese state is providing for the Syrian refugees, emphasizing that Cyprus will exert all possible efforts to increase the European help for the refugees and that his country will be sending medicines for the Syrian displaced people who fled to Lebanon.

Christofias will be also visiting Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati who will be holding a luncheon in his honor.