Sleiman hopes for political solution in Syria

President Michel Sleiman on Tuesday hoped that a political solution would be reached to the Syrian crisis and that the international support group for Lebanon would activate the decisions of New York meeting. Sleiman spoke following his meeting with the Acting French Minister, Helen Muriel, tasked to follow up on the affairs of French nationals living abroad, at Baabda palace. The French official discussed with Sleiman the situation of the Syrian refugees in Lebanon. They also discussed how France would help Lebanon in handling the increasing security, humanitarian and social burdens resulting from the growing numbers of the refugees\' influx. The President followed up afterwards on the case of the Lebanese who drowned in Indonesian, and was briefed on the latest measures adopted to bring back who survived and the bodies of those who died to Lebanon. Sleiman also followed up on the kidnapping case of Pharmacist Wissam el Khatib and called for intensifying investigations to disclose his place and arrest culprits. Caretaker Environment Minister Nazem Khoury visited Sleiman today and tackled with him the latest domestic political developments. Afterwards, the President received Caretaker Industry Minister Vrej Sabounjian with talks featuring high on the situation of the industry in Lebanon. Among Baabda visitors for today were also MPs Riyad Rahhal and Chante Jeanjajian. Source: NNA