Heads of State Stress to Miqati Keenness to Maintain Stability in Lebanon

Several heads of state stressed to Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati their keenness to preserve stability in Lebanon during the Premier's visit to South Africa to pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, a global symbol of reconciliation.

“Heads of state expressed their keenness to preserve stability in Lebanon and to share the burdens caused by the influx of Syrian refugees on its territories,” a statement issued by Miqati's press office said on Wednesday.

Miqati held talks on the sidelines of Tuesday's celebratory memorial service in Soweto in South Africa with U.S. President Barack Obama, President Francois Hollande, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta.

The wrapped up on Wednesday his visit to South Africa where he represented Lebanon in Mandela's memorial service.

Miqati also participated with heads of states to view the casket of Mandela, which was placed in a cubic platform in the building's amphitheatre in Pretoria.

The premier also visited the new headquarters of the Lebanese embassy in South Africa.

Lebanon's Charge d'Affaires in South Africa, Ara Khatchadourian, briefed Miqati on the conditions of the Lebanese expats in the country.

Miqati met on Monday with members of the Lebanese community in South Africa.

He hailed the 35,000-strong community there for being “united” and having close ties with their home country.

Mandela had been critically ill for months, but the announcement of his death on Thursday at the age of 95 was still a body blow to a country struggling with multiple social and economic challenges.

For many, Mandela -- even a frail, aged and retired Mandela -- represented, while he was alive, a moral beacon that retained the promise of better times ahead.