Suleiman Urges Adherence to Self-Dissociation Policy amid Syria Attack Fears

President Michel Suleiman called on Tuesday for sticking to the policy of dissociating Lebanon from the Syrian war and urged officials to hold onto the nation's interest.

“Suleiman reiterated his call on all political parties to adhere to the policy of dissociating Lebanon from the regional crises and their complications,” Caretaker Social Affairs Minister Wael Abou Faour said after attending a meeting on the Syrian refugees at Baabda palace.

He also called for “commitment to the obligations that serve the national interest such as preserving security and stability, protecting civil peace and achieving national consensus,” Abou Faour said.

The caretaker minister revealed that Suleiman will hold several telephone conversations with the influential political parties to urge them to put the nation's interest before anything else.

The president's appeal came as major world powers appear to be moving toward punitive military strikes against the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad for what the United States and its allies say was a deadly chemical weapons attack last week.

Suleiman reiterated his call for a political solution to the Syrian crisis away from military intervention.

Violence in Syria has already spilled over the past year to Lebanon and Hizbullah fighters have joined the combat alongside Assad's forces.

During the meeting presided by Suleiman, the conferees agreed to protect Lebanon from any repercussions that would result from the possible strikes, including a huge Syrian refugee influx that the country is already suffering from.

Agreement was reached to cooperate with the United Nations and the humanitarian organizations and agencies in confronting the upcoming challenges, said Abou Faour.