BEIRUT: U.S. President Barack Obama called President Michel Sleiman Monday and stressed the need for the formation of a new government in Lebanon and that elections in the small Mediterranean country be held on time.
“[Obama said] the formation of a new government in Lebanon and holding elections according to their deadline would send a strong message about practicing democracy,” Obama told the Lebanese president in a telephone call, Sleiman’s office said.
Obama said he had been briefed on Lebanon’s situation by Philip Gordon, the U.S. Coordinator for the Middle East, North Africa and the Persian Gulf. Gordon, a senior White House official, held a round of talks last week with senior officials in Lebanon.
Obama, according to Sleiman’s office, also renewed his appreciation for the role Sleiman was playing in “preserving stability and the policy Lebanon was adopting in not interfering in the affairs of other countries, particularly Syria, on the basis of the ‘Baabda Declaration.’”
The U.S. leader also backed Sleiman’s call for convening an international conference to tackle the situation of Syrians fleeing their homes into neighboring countries.
“[Obama] supported the idea of convening an international conference to resolve the issue of the refugees through the United Nations,” the statement said.
The United Nations is assisting over 470,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Obama also renewed his country’s “support for Lebanon in terms of boosting its security and stability.”
Sleiman, for his part, thanked Obama on the call and America’s support.
He also stressed the need to “push for a comprehensive and just peace process in the region” and said he was counting on U.S. assistance on the issue of Syrian refugees.
The Lebanese president also highlighted the “importance of maintaining planned military aid to the Lebanese Army in order to enable it to protect the borders as well civil peace and stability inside [Lebanon].”

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20/05/2013
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