BEIRUT: The United Kingdom is exerting efforts to maintain stability in Lebanon, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said in talks with Prime Minister Najib Mikati Wednesday.
According to Mikati’s office, Hague, who is on an official to Lebanon, said Britain was exerting all its efforts to support and maintain stability in Lebanon.
Hague’s remarks came during talks at the Grand Serail in Beirut.
“Hello Lebanon. Great to be here. U.K. is backing stability and a peaceful future for your vibrant, resilient country,” Hague said in a twitter post later in the day.
“I will be hearing about the political process and the Syria crisis, and offering practical U.K. support to Lebanon,” he said in a second post.
The British official, who will be holding talks with President Michel Sleiman and Army Commander Gen. Jean Kahwagi Thursday, arrived in Lebanon Wednesday after talks in Qatar.
According to Mikati’s office, Hague said his country was seeking to make Lebanon’s share of funds allocated to help Syrian refugees considerable.
For his part, Mikati thanked Britain for standing beside Lebanon and its Army and expressed hope for further military assistance.
He also hoped London would exert further efforts and urge Arab and foreign states to help Lebanon cope with the issue of Syrian refugees.