Naharnet

Lebanese-French Summit in New York Next Week

President Michel Suleiman is expected to hold talks next week with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy during his trip to New York, revealed western diplomatic sources to the daily al-Mustaqbal Sunday.

They said that the talks will tackle Lebanon’s obligation to fund the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

The talks will also address the situation of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, as well as the developments in Syria.

Suleiman is expected to arrive in New York on Monday on three-day visit where he will deliver speech at the U.N.’s 66th General Assembly and later chair a U.N. Security Council session on September 21.

His speech at the Security Council will assert Lebanon’s position on the regional developments, stress its adherence to the Arab peace initiative and importance of the peace process in the region, the Central News Agency reported on Saturday.

“The president will stress the importance of recognizing a Palestinian state and Lebanon’s right to preserve its national natural resources and oil,” high-ranking sources told the news agency.

Suleiman will stress, during his speech entitled “Preventive Diplomacy,” on the importance of diplomacy to avoid conflicts, its role in preventing its recurrence, and Lebanon’s experience in this field.

The sources revealed that the president is expected to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani during his New York visit.

He will also hold talks with the heads of state of Slovenia and Serbia.


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