Sleiman reaffirms disassociation

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman has reaffirmed his country's commitment to neutrality with regards to the Syrian conflict. Sleiman was speaking Tuesday at a meeting with the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdul Latif al-Zaiyani and a number of ambassadors from Gulf states. The meeting tackled developments in the region and Lebanese-Gulf relations. Al-Zayani had relayed a message from the GCC's ministerial council saying the organisation is "gravely concerned" that Lebanon is not abiding by the policy of dissociation enshrined in the Baabda Declaration. Sleiman said his country is committed to maintaining good relations with Gulf States and added that he is carrying out all steps and procedures necessary to ensure that all parties involved adhere to the Baabda Decalaration. Sleiman also attended a cabinet meeting at Baabda Palace Tuesday, during which he said the prime minister along with cabinet members concerned with the economy are scrutinising the wages and ranks system proposed by labour organisations in order to find an appropriate solution to the crisis. Cabinet will discuss the controversial proposal in one session or more starting March 21 as a prelude to placing it before the Chamber of Deputies, he said. He also called on the Syndicate Coordination Committee (SCC) to call off its strike to allow citizens to go about their business without obstruction. Reporting on the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Walid Daouk said Sleiman thanked security forces for ensuring the smooth running of the municipal by-elections which coincided with a number of protests in Tyre. The Supreme Defence Council also met to look into security forces' requirements for maintaining law and order and combating the growing kidnapping phenomenon. They also discussed border security and enacted measures that Sleiman said proved immediately successful. The cabinet approved the creation of a ministerial committee to look into reducing fees and taxes levied on foreign artists taking part in festivals. Displaced Syrian children now living in Lebanon will be allowed to sit Lebanon's state exams if they can provide certification by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) or the Syrian embassy. The Iraqi Red Crescent will also be allowed to send aid into Syria for distribution among refugees.