Abbas Meets Berri and Hariri, Says Lebanon's Sacrifices Won't be Forgotten

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met at Ain el-Tineh with Speaker Nabih Berri on Friday, where he hailed Lebanon's stance as for the Palestinian cause stressing that its sacrifices will never be forgotten.

“Lebanon is a dear country to our hearts. It has endured and sacrificed a lot for the sake of the Palestinian cause. We shall never forget those sacrifices,” said Abbas in a joint conference with Berri after the meeting.

“We are among our brothers when we come to visit Lebanon,” he added.

For his part, Berri stressed the need for unity between Arabs for the sake of Palestine and said: “the only topic that should unite us is the issue of Palestine.”

In the evening, Abbas arrived at the Grand Serail for talks with Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

A statement issued by Hariri's office said the meeting addressed "the situations in the Lebanese and regional arenas, the developments in the occupied Palestinian territories, and Lebanese-Palestinian ties."

Hariri later threw a dinner banquet in honor of Abbas and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of ex-PM Fouad Saniora, Deputy Speaker Farid Makari and the ministers Pierre Raffoul, Moein al-Merehbi, Jean Oghassabian and Jamal al-Jarrah.

Earlier on Wednesday, Abbas held talks with several Lebanese officials.

On Thursday, Abbas held talks with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace at the beginning of a three-day visit to Lebanon.

Abbas is accompanied by Palestinian Presidency spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina, Fatah Movement's Central Committee official Azzam al-Ahmed and Fatah official spokesman Ahmed Assaf.