Suleiman Stresses Lebanon's Constant Support for Kuwait, Al-Sabah Describes Lebanon as 'Arab Cultural Archetype' 19-05-2010 President Michel Suleiman expressed Tuesday Lebanon's constant and firm support for Kuwait's sovereignty, unity, stability and territorial integrity, lauding "Kuwait's support for every just cause." Delivering a speech at the dinner banquet he threw in honor of visiting Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, in attendance of Lebanon's top officials, Suleiman said: "Lebanon, which was among the first nations to condemn the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, will remain keen on coordinating with your country (Kuwait) in order to protect its rights in international forums in addition to combating terrorism and strengthening stability in the Gulf." Suleiman noted that Iran's nuclear enrichment agreement on Monday with Brazil and Turkey represented an introduction to a comprehensive diplomatic solution to Tehran's standoff with the west. "The Arab nations have a longstanding proposal for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East," Suleiman added, stressing that Israel must be obliged to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. He also stressed that the efforts will continue "to oblige Israel to fully implement U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701 in parallel with our dialogue path toward a defense strategy." Suleiman expressed his aspirations for a summer tourism season "during which Lebanon hosts the Arab brothers as we pleasingly observe the expansion of Kuwaiti investment in our country, which has developed to encompass several fields now." For his part, Sheikh Sabah stressed that "Lebanon is the Arab cultural archetype and depth, which we are keen on its safety, prosperity and progress." 
President and Amir saluting the guard of honor at the airport in Beirut 
President and the Amir during the official reception at the airport in Beirut 
His Highness the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah with Presidents Suleiman, Berri and Hariri
A meeting between President Suleiman and Amir Al Sabah Addressing the audience at the dinner banquet, Sheikh Sabah expressed "his utmost delight regarding this official visit to fraternal Lebanon, which truly reflects the depth of the special relations between the two countries." The Emir of Kuwait announced that his visit "stems from our keenness on exchanging visits to fortify the ties between the two countries and boost cooperation for the sake of their common interest." He also expressed pleasure for the coincidence of his visit with the current consensus and political stability in Lebanon, "the thing that helps us in suggesting ideas to expand the limits of the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially the economic and commercial ones." Prior to the dinner, Suleiman and the Emir of Kuwait held talks at the Baabda palace. The talks focused on means to bolster bilateral relations between Kuwait and Lebanon at all possible levels and also touched on issues of mutual interest in addition to developments in the region and the world. The talks were followed by signing a number of Lebanese-Kuwaiti cooperation deals, in attendance of President Suleiman and the Emir of Kuwait. Kuwaiti Deputy PM and Foreign Affairs Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah and Lebanese Information Minister Tareq Mitri signed a deal on bolstering cooperation in the media field. Kuwaiti Finance Minister Mustafa al-Shimali and Lebanese Foreign Minister Ali al-Shami signed two deals to bolster cooperation within the economic and commercial sectors. Undersecretary for the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry Khaled al-Jarrallah signed with Lebanese Culture Minister Salim Wardeh an agreement to bolster relations within the cultural sphere. A deal and an MoU in regard to the Beirut Museum were signed between Director General of Kuwait Fund for Economic Development (KFAED) Abdul Wahab Ahmed al-Bader and Minister Wardeh in addition to head of the Lebanese Development and Reconstruction Council Nabil al-Jesr. 
Emir of Kuwait, plants Lebanese cedar for the friendship Lebanon - Kuwait 
Talks between the two sides of Kuwait and Lebanon 
The signing of agreements 
The signing of agreements 
The signing of agreements 
The signing of agreements
The Emir of Kuwait arrived in Beirut at noon Tuesday on a two-day official visit. 19-05-2010 The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah arrived to Beirut at twelve noon yesterday for a two-day official visit in response to the invitation of President Michel Sleiman. At the Rafik Hariri International Airport, the Emir was received by President Sleiman, Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari, a number of Ministers, the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Apostolic Nuncio Gabriele Caccia, Ambassadors of Arab and foreign countries accredited in Lebanon, members of the Office of Parliament, the Lebanese Kuwaiti Friendship Committee, the Head of Constitutional Council, the Commander of the army, security commanding officers, high officials from the judiciary, Directors-General, and member of the Kuwaiti community in Lebanon. As the Emir of Kuwait got out of the plane, 21-cannons were fired as salute to the guest, and two children, one Kuwaiti and another Lebanese offered two bouquets of flowers to the Emir and to the President of the Republic. Then, the Kuwaiti and Lebanese national anthems were played, and the Kuwaiti flag hoisted on a mast next to the Lebanese flag. Next, Sheikh Al-Sabah and President Sleiman walked before the guard of honor. The Emir of Kuwait presented the members of Kuwaiti official delegation to President Sleiman, who in turn presented to Sheikh Sabah the members of the official Lebanese delegation. After a short break in the Presidential Lounge at the airport, The Emir of the State of Kuwait headed the headquarters of Kuwait’s Embassy. On Wednesday, Berri is scheduled to welcome Sheikh Sabah over lunch. As for Hariri, he will invite the visiting leader to dinner at the Grand Serail in the evening before the Emir wraps up his visit to Beirut. 
|
