Daily Star - Palestinian Rights

By The Daily Star

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Sleiman said Tuesday that there will be no real solution to the Mideast conflict without granting the Palestinians their rights, especially the right of return.
Sleiman spoke when receiving EU Foreign Affairs Chief Catherine Ashton who arrived in Beirut on Tuesday from Syria, along with a delegation to meet with Lebanese officials.
Ashton’s visit to Lebanon is part of a five-day tour of the Middle East that began Sunday.
Sleiman stressed the need for pressuring Israel into complying with the Arab Peace Initiative which is the last chance for a permanent, comprehensive and just peace.
He reiterated Lebanon’s position regarding rejecting the naturalization of Palestinian refugees and “especially in countries whose conditions and constitutions do not tolerate such a step.”
Sleiman said that the economic, political and security stability that Lebanon was witnessing provides investment opportunities calling the EU to boost cooperation and support to Lebanon in different fields, especially in investments.
Sleiman urged EU states to pressure Israel into halting its threats, which increase tensions and have negative impacts on the Lebanese economy. He added that economic growth in Lebanon hit 9 percent in 2009.
Sleiman said Lebanon has initiated a political and administrative reform project and that the municipal electoral law has been sent to Parliament where it will be subject to amendments and development after its adoption decades ago.
For her part, Ashton thanked Sleiman for receiving her and the delegation adding that her tour aims at inspecting the situation in the region.
She noted that the current period was very important especially in the economic realm, voicing hope that a strong and serious participation would take place to achieve economic advances.
She said security and economic stability in Lebanon was an appealing factor for the EU to bolster its partnership with Lebanon and for European businessmen to invest in Lebanon as well.
Ashton considered that achieving economic and political reform in Lebanon would contribute to the return of Beirut as an important investment center, expressing her support to the steps pursued by Lebanon in this vain.
Ashton underlined that the issue of Palestinian refugees was a thorny one that should be carefully addressed. – The Daily Star