BEIRUT: U.K. Ambassador to Lebanon Tom Fletcher congratulated Friday President Michel Sleiman on his efforts to relaunch national dialogue and praised efforts to insulate Lebanon from the crisis in neighboring Syria.

“I congratulated the president on his progress in bringing a wide range of Lebanon’s leaders back to the dialogue table,” Fletcher said following a meeting with Sleiman at Baabda Palace, according to a U.K. embassy statement.

The British official said Sleiman’s efforts sent an important signal “of determination and resilience, and gives us hope that Lebanon’s leaders are ready to work together to maintain stability.”

Fletcher also said he and Sleiman had discussed the subject of Syria and praised efforts to safeguard Lebanon from developments in its neighbor.

“I welcomed the ongoing effort to insulate and disassociate Lebanon from the shocking violence,” he said.

“Lebanon’s sovereignty must be respected,” he added.