French Defense Minister Meets Suleiman, Miqati: France Will Continue to Support Lebanese Army

French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian lauded on Thursday the Lebanese government's decision to disassociate itself from the Syrian crisis, saying that France will continue to support Lebanon.

He said: “France will maintain its support for the Lebanese army through all possible means.”

He made his remarks after meeting with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Palace and earlier Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.

The French minister arrived in Lebanon on Thursday.

Le Drian is scheduled to visit on Friday his country's unit at the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon.

“France will continue to play an effective role in Lebanon through its participation in UNIFIL,” added the minister after meeting Miqati.

Talks with Suleiman focused on bilateral relations and the current cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

For his part, the president thanked France for its constant support to Lebanon at various regional and international meetings.

Miqati thanked Le Drian for France's understanding of the disassociation policy, stressing the historic ties it shares with Lebanon.