BEIRUT: Former President Michel Sleiman Sunday hailed Saudi Arabia for its role in combating terrorism in the region and its support for distancing Lebanon from regional turmoil, during a meeting with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, Daily Star reported January 11, 2016.
A statement by the National News Agency said Sleiman highlighted the pivotal role Saudi Arabia was playing in fighting terrorism and its relentless efforts to dry up its sources
Sleiman’s visit to the kingdom comes two days after he returned from France.
The former president extended his thanks for Saudi Arabia’s support of Lebanon’s constitutional and security institutions, particularly the Lebanese Army, who he said had the best experience in fighting terrorism.
Saudi Arabia donated $3 billion to the Lebanese Army in late 2013 with which French weapons would be bought. This was followed by a further donation of $1 billion in summer 2014 for all Lebanese security institutions.
“The policy of dialogue, carefulness and non-interference in the affairs of other nations is the best solution to establish peace between all societies and countries, as wars only produce destruction,” Sleiman said during his meeting at the Yamama Palace in Riyadh, as he denounced the attack against the Saudi embassy and consulate in Iran earlier this month.
Sleiman thanked the kingdom “for its permanent support for distancing Lebanon from the confrontation between axes through its backing of the Baabda Declaration.”
Sleiman said that the Baabda Declaration, announced during his term in June 2012, gives further immunity to the Taif Accord, which ended Lebanon’s 1975-1990 Civil War.
The Baabda Declaration calls for isolating Lebanon from regional conflicts, particularly the civil war in neighboring Syria.
Hezbollah violated the agreement however in May 2013 when its forces openly began to fight alongside Syrian President Bashar Assad inside Syria.
For his part, King Salman welcomed Sleiman in Saudi Arabia and discussed with him the developments on the Lebanese and internationals arenas.
Sleiman meets with a number of Saudi officials on Monday as well as the Lebanese community in the Kingdom.
Sleiman, whose term as head of state ended in May 2014, now heads the Republic Forum party.