Salam Receives Message from Hollande on Independence Day Hoping for Election of President

Prime Minister Tammam Salam received on Sunday a message from French President Francois Hollande on the occasion of Independence Day, during which he expressed France's keenness on Lebanon's unity, stability, and sovereignty.

He added: “As prime minister, you are keen on safeguarding state institutions at this critical time and this should be translated into the election of a president as soon as possible.”

Hollande highlighted the ties that bind Lebanon and France, hoping that they will be bolstered in the future.

“France supports all of your efforts to maintain the unity of your country, which is facing major challenges given the regional crises,” added the French president to Salam.

“France will continue on working, now more than ever, for the sake of Lebanon's unity, stability, and sovereignty,” he remarked.

This is at the core of the work of the International Support Group for Lebanon that seeks to garner international consensus over the country, he stated.

“I am pleased that this support has been reflected on the security level with the implementation of the French-Saudi initiative to bolster the capabilities of the Lebanese army that will help it in its duties to combat terrorism,” Hollande said.

He also pledged that France will continued its efforts to help Lebanon confront the burden of Syrian refugees on its soil.

“You should be proud for harboring them, but it also serves as a burden that the Lebanese people alone cannot shoulder alone,” he noted.

Furthermore, the French President hailed Salam's respect for Lebanon's international commitments, saying that France will in turn continue its complete commitment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

In early November, France and Saudi Arabia inked in Riyadh a deal to provide the Lebanese army with $3 billion worth of French weapons, with Riyadh footing the bill.

The Lebanese army will be able to purchase French weapons under the deal at the beginning of the year.

M.T.