Suleiman Meets Raad, Reiterates Adherence to Baabda Declaration

In the framework of his regular meetings with different political factions, President Michel Suleiman met on Monday with Head of the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc MP Mohammed Raad with talks focusing on the ongoing efforts to form a government and the necessity to distance Lebanon from the Syrian crisis.

“Suleiman is keen to maintain contacts with all factions, pinning hopes that a solution could emerge anytime,” sources told al-Joumhouria daily Tuesday.

Briefing Raad on his latest meetings in New York where he attended U.N. General Assembly sessions and a conference of the International Support Group for Lebanon, Suleiman reflected the international assertion that Lebanon should distance itself from the Syrian crisis on the basis of respect for the Baabda Declaration, which calls for keeping Lebanon away from the unrest in the neighboring country.

Suleiman was clear and stressed the importance of halting involvement in the Syrian turmoil, reiterating the need to spare Lebanon any additional disturbances.

The president had previously stated that he is against Hizbullah's engagement in battles in Syria and has therefore held discussions with the party's leadership to withdraw its fighters.

Ahead of his visit to Baabda, Raad had stressed that any government should adhere to the army-people-resistance equation, saying: “If this equation was left outside the ministerial statement, then nothing would be left of Lebanon. We want, together with the other camp, to form a cabinet that involves all political components.”

Discussions between the two officials touched on the issue of the abducted Aazaz pilgrims with sources pointing to some progress in the file.