Lebanese president and Italian PM discuss bilateral relations

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman met with Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, on Saturday and discussed on Saturday bilateral ties between Lebanon and Italy , the current developments in the region and the International Community's commitment to share the burden of the Syrian refugees with the Lebanese state was also of paramount importance. Sleiman stressed "the importance of a continuous and coordinated international support for Lebanon in order to maintain the country’s stability, boost its economy and reinforce its armed forces." "Lebanon needs international support to be able to face the repercussions of the large Syrian refugee numbers in the country" he said, recalling the "the International Support Group’s recommendations that were passed by the Security Council on 26/11/2013." Sleiman then welcomed Italy’s readiness to further support the LAF, namely in fields of training and military expertise. "We appreciate Italy’s efforts in organizing an international conference in Rome, in coordination with Lebanon and the UN, aiming at enhancing the LAF’s capacities", Sleiman added, noting that "the LAF constitute a symbol of national unity". For his part, Letta asserted Italy's readiness to up the level of its support for the Lebanese army, especially in the areas of training and military experience. In his turn, Sleiman lauded Italy's decision to organize an international conference in Rome to support the capabilities of the Lebanese armed forces, in coordination with the United Nations and Lebanon.