Suleiman Stresses from Greece Keenness to Avoid Lebanon Repercussions of Syrian Crisis

President Michel Suleiman hoped on Thursday that the Syrian people would be able to hold dialogue in order to reach an agreement over “acceptable political solutions” to their crisis.

He expressed “Lebanon's keenness to avoid the country the repercussions of the conflict.”

He made his remarks during his ongoing trip to Greece where he met with his counterpart Karolos Papoulias.

Suleiman added a hope that the Syrian crisis would be resolved away from violence, extremism, and foreign military intervention.

Furthermore, he hoped that a “fair and comprehensive” solution to the crisis in the Middle East would be reached as soon as possible in order to support the nascent democracy in the Arab world.

“Peoples should be allowed to achieve their goals of reform, freedom, and democracy through peaceful means,” stressed the president.

For his part, Papoulias highlighted the “constant support” his country provides to Lebanon in order to achieve its stability and sovereignty.

He also praised Suleiman on his efforts to protect Lebanon and fortify it against the repercussions of the Syrian crisis.

Suleiman had arrived in Greece earlier on Thursday where he was greeted at the airport by Papoulias.

He later met with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

On Friday, Suleiman is expected to meet with Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox church Arnimos the second.