Suleiman Hopes Policy Statement Will Be Approved before March Int'l Support Group Meeting

President Michel Suleiman hoped on Tuesday that a government policy statement will be approved before March 5.

He hoped that the statement will be approved and granted parliament's vote of confidence ahead of the International Support Group on Lebanon's meeting in Paris set for March 5 and 6.

He made his remarks before a delegation of ambassadors from the countries included in the Group.

“The Paris meeting is aimed at assessing what was achieved by the support group meeting in New York” in September, continued Suleiman.

It should also outline the necessary measures to support Lebanon on the political, economic, and military levels.

It should also address the case of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon, said the president.

The support group was inaugurated in New York in September 2013, on the sidelines of the 68th session of the General Assembly. It undertook to work together to mobilize support for the sovereignty and state institutions of Lebanon and to highlight and promote efforts to assist the country where it was most affected by the Syrian crisis, including in respect of strengthening the capacity of the Lebanese army, assistance to refugees, and structural and financial support to the government.

The Paris meeting will focus on humanitarian aid to help improve the situation of displaced Syrians in Lebanon, boosting the capabilities of the Lebanese army and tackling Lebanon's economy.

The number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon had surged to around 900,000 according to the United Nations' refugee agency (UNHCR) as Lebanon has been facing difficulties in coping with their burden.