Suleiman Heads to Australia as LL40 Billion is Pledged to Lebanon for Investment
President Michel Suleiman traveled to Australia on Saturday on the first visit of its kind for a Lebanese president, reported As Safire newspaper on Saturday.
Sources told the newspaper that memorandums of understandings will be signed with the Australian government and Suleiman will also meet with prominent businessmen of Lebanese origin.
“These businessmen, who are a cornerstone of the Australian economy, have pledged LL40 billion for Lebanon to invest in,” they revealed.
Suleiman’s weeklong visit gains prominence because of Australia’s importance as a continent and part of the Commonwealth where there are several opportunities for cooperation, they said.
“Despite the historic ties between Lebanon and Australia, no agreements on bilateral cooperation have been signed between them,” noted the sources.
Prior to traveling, Suleiman held talks with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Baabda palace.
The president is accompanied on his visit by an official delegation that includes Deputy Prime Minister Samir Moqbel, Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour, Transportation and Public Works Minister Ghazi al-Aridi, and Information Minister Walid al-Daouq.
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