Suleiman Headed to Switzerland to Take Part in Francophone Summit

President Michel Suleiman headed to Switzerland on Friday to take part in the 13th Francophone summit to be held in the Lake Geneva town of Montreux despite an upset over the Nov 29 Swiss ban on minaret construction.

Suleiman was accompanied by Defense Minister Elias Murr, Foreign Minister Ali Shami and Education Minister Salim Warde.

The International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF) comprises 56 member states and governments, 3 associate members, and 14 observers.

The conference will elect an OIF Secretary-General. Senegalese President Abdou Diouf plans to run for a third term as head of the OIF.

Climate change is likely to top the agenda at the 13th summit.

Suleiman is expected to meet a number of European leaders, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy.