Suleiman Calls for Political Solution to Syrian Crisis, Rejects Military Action

President Michel Suleiman voiced on Tuesday his rejection of foreign military intervention in Syria.

He instead called for a reaching a political solution to the unrest in the neighboring country.

He made his remarks during a meeting with the ambassadors of countries who enjoy permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council, which also included U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon Derek Plumbly, representatives of the European Union, and Arab League envoy in Beirut.

The meeting was held in preparation for an international conference on Lebanon in New York on September 25 on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly.

Suleiman thanked the ambassadors for their countries' support for Lebanon's stability, sovereignty, and policy of disassociation in accordance to the Baabda Declaration.

For their part, the gatherers stressed their countries' ongoing support for Lebanon, especially its army, in order to enable it to continue on preserving stability and security in the country and along its borders, reported the National News Agency.

Moreover, they informed the president that contacts are ongoing in New York in order to organize the conference, which would be chaired by U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

France, in cooperation with Ban, has called for an international conference on the sidelines of the the General Assembly meeting in New York on September 25 to establish a fund for Syrian refugees in Lebanon.

The conference is expected to discuss ways to provide the necessary assistance to Lebanon to help it confront the rising number of the displaced.

Suleiman is expected to attend the conference as he will be traveling to New York at the head of the Lebanese delegation to attend the General Assembly sessions and address world leaders.