Obama to Sleiman: US support holding international conference to solve Syrian refugees issue

President Michel Sleiman received on Monday a call from US President Barack Obama who noted that the Special Assistant to the US President and White House Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf Region Philip Gordon briefed him on the outcome of his meeting with Sleiman, reiterating his appreciation to the efforts deployed in order to maintain stability and to commit to the dissociation policy based on the Baabda Declaration.                   

However, Obama added that “forming a new cabinet in Lebanon and holding the elections on time are manifestations to the implementation of democracy.”              

During the phone call, the US President pointed out that he supports holding an international conference aiming at dealing with the issue of the Syrian refugees, reiterating his country’s support for every step taken by Lebanon to preserve security and stability.            

For his part, President Sleiman expressed his gratitude to the United States, stressing the need to boost the peace process in the region and praising the assistance offered by the United States in the issue of the Syrian refugees. Sleiman also stressed the importance of the military reinforcements offered for the Lebanese Army in order for the institution to be able to control the borders and maintain civil peace, stability and security in the country. 

President Michel Sleiman held a meeting on Monday with Caretaker Interior Minister Marwan Charbel whereby the latter briefed him on the security situation in the country.       

Talks also featured high on the actions to be undertaken by the Ministry in regards to the electoral file and the acceptance of candidacies for the upcoming parliamentary elections after the parliament's failure to adopt a new electoral law.        

President Sleiman also discussed with MP Boutros Harb the parliamentary consultations, and tackled with General Security Chief Major General Abbas Ibrahim the situation on the borders, mainly with Syria.        

On another note, the President's press office denied media outlets alleging that Sleiman received a threat letter from Israel.           

The denial came after an Israeli website reported that "Tel Aviv warned Lebanon through the U.S. administration" that it would “set Lebanon 50 years backwards” should Hezbollah launch an attack against Israel.