REPORT: Sleiman returns to hometown amid cheering crowds

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25-05-2014 | 06:39
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REPORT: Sleiman returns to hometown amid cheering crowds
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REPORT: Sleiman returns to hometown amid cheering crowds
Former President Michel Sleiman is still receiving political figures and delegations at his residence in Amchit where he was greeted by hundreds of people who welcomed him back after a six-year term in the presidential palace.     

Former Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who arrived to the town of Amchit, said his visit expresses loyalty to Sleiman, hailing the latter's performance during his mandate as well as cooperation between them.      

For his part, National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt praised Sleiman as an "exceptional president," noting that he worked for the country's interests.     

"I support the Lebanese state and the Baabda Declaration," Jumblatt said, speaking from Amchit.

Sleiman said on Saturday that dialogue was the only way to overcome deep divisions in the country, which is struggling to cope with political and security spillover from Syria's civil war.        

Sleiman made his remarks during his farewell speech hours before his six-year term ended and two days after parliament failed for the fifth time to choose a successor. The impasse  highlights the stark political divisions in the country.        

With his departure, Lebanon enters a presidential vacancy with no clear sign when it will end.       

"We overcame difficult circumstances, (hence) my call for sustained dialogue which is the only guarantor for solving  dilemmas," he told the audience, which included former Lebanese presidents and prime ministers.        

Sleiman's powers will pass to Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government, which is also supposed to prepare for a parliamentary election later this year.     
Sleiman also reiterated his call for the powerful Lebanese Shi'ite group Hezbollah to pull its fighters out of Syria to preserve national unity.         

"(Preserving) our national unity is the priority and forces us not to interfere in the issues of the neighbor  no matter how dear the neighbor is," he said.         

LBCI/REUTERS


To watch Yazbek Wehbe's report, please click on the VIDEO above

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