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Miqati Meets Saudi Crown Prince, Links Prosperous Economy to Comprehensive Peace

Prime Minister Najib Miqati discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz ways to steer Lebanon clear of the developments in the region, the PM's press office said in a statement on Tuesday.

It said the meeting was held on Monday night in the presence of Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and the Lebanese delegation to Riyadh that included FM Adnan Mansour, Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi, Economy Minister Nicolas Nahas and Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian.

The talks were also attended by the Saudi ambassador to Beirut Ali Awad Assiri.

The two sides discussed “the historic ties between Lebanon and Saudi Arabia in all its aspects and the importance of developing them, in addition to the situation in the region and ways to steer Lebanon clear of its negative consequences,” Miqati's press office said.

It said Prince Salman stressed “the need for Lebanon to preserve coexistence and openness which it is characterized with.”

Miqati was in Riyadh to attend the third Arab Economic and Social Development summit.

In his speech on Monday night, he linked a prosperous economy to a comprehensive peace in the region

“We should all seek for a just and comprehensive peace that contributes to a prosperous economy,” he said.

“The key to peace in the region is a solution to the Palestinian cause that's why we should work for the establishment of two states and giving Palestinians their full rights to their land and state,” he told the summit.

“The stability in the region also requires an end to the bloodshed in Syria and avoiding its repercussions,” he added.

Miqati cited the achievements made following the two previous economic summits but called for stronger efforts in implementing them, and developing an agreement on inter-Arab investment.

Miqati invited the Arab leaders to hold the next summit in Lebanon.


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