Suleiman Heads to New York where he is Expected to Reject Naturalization of Palestinians

President Michel Suleiman travelled to New York on Monday to attend the annual U.N. General Assembly meeting where he is expected to reject the naturalization of Palestinians in Lebanon and stress the country’s commitment to Security Council resolution 1701.

A high-ranking Lebanese official told As Safir daily that during his speech on Sept. 21, Suleiman will stress the importance of U.N. recognition of the Palestinian state and a fair solution to refugees through their return to their homeland.

The president will reiterate Lebanon’s commitment to 1701 and stress Lebanon’s right on its Exclusive Economic Zone after accusations that Israel infringed on 870 kilometers of Lebanese waters sparking a new maritime conflict between the two countries in their oil and gas exploration rights.

The official also told As Safir that Suleiman will reiterate Lebanon’s right to liberate the rest of Israeli-occupied Lebanese land through all legitimate means.

A high-ranking ministerial delegation accompanied Suleiman to the U.N. Ministers Adnan Mansour, Wael Abou Faour and Nazem Khoury, in addition to an administrative, diplomatic and media delegation traveled with him.

The president is expected to hold meetings with high-ranking Arab and world leaders on the sidelines of the General Assembly meeting, including Qatar’s Emir, the Palestinian president, the French and Iranian heads of state, the Turkish PM and the secretary-general of the U.N.

The ceremony that will be held on the occasion of the opening of the session will also be an opportunity for Suleiman to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama.