UK reiterates continued support to Lebanon
Ambassador Fletcher meets president Sleiman, reiterates the UK's continued support to the Lebanese Armed Forces and Syrian refugee crisis
UK-Lebanese relations
British Ambassador Tom Fletcher met this morning with President Sleiman at Baabda Palace to congratulate the government on progress made in the security plan in recent weeks. Britain had been proud to support the Lebanese Army’s efforts through a significantly expanded programme of training and equipment, in response to the Army’s requests. Ambassador Fletcher underlined that more help would be made available, in consultation with international partners. The state’s security forces should be given the best possible chance to stabilise Lebanon.
Ambassador Fletcher updated the President on Britain’s support to Lebanon’s long term development, including through a programme to provide school textbooks to all pupils in public schools. This is recognition of the burdens placed on Lebanese society by the generous response to the Syria refugee crisis. Britain is the second largest national donor to the humanitarian effort.
The Ambassador thanked President Sleiman for his determined personal efforts to promote dialogue in support of Lebanon’s stability and sovereignty, and relayed to him and to the Lebanese people the UK’s good wishes for Easter.