BEIRUT: President Michel Sleiman stressed Wednesday that Lebanon was achieving its goals despite some “worrying” media reports.

“Lebanon, about which maybe media outlets broadcast worrying images, is firmly heading toward achieving its goals despite unstable conditions in the region,” he said.

The president was addressing members of the Lebanese community in Mexico who gathered to greet him and his wife first lady Wafaa Sleiman in the Lebanese Club in Mexico City during their final day of their official visit to the country.

Sleiman stressed that the Lebanese Army was fulfilling its duty in defending Lebanese borders against Israeli aggressions and countering terrorism.

“The Lebanese Army is fulfilling its duty in defending the southern borders and confronting the Israeli enemy with courage, as it confronted its barbaric aggression and defeated it with the resistance [during the summer war of] 2006.”

“Also, your national army, assisted by the security forces, is confronting and chasing terrorists that assaulted it in 2007 when it crushed their organization,” added Sleiman, in reference to Al-Qaeda-inspired group Fatah al-Islam.

The president outlined to the audience the achievements Lebanon had made since he assumed office in 2008.

Sleiman noted that concerned authorities were discussing the suitable mechanism by which expatriates could vote, a right that was endorsed by the Parliament.

Sleiman also noted that the Parliament was studying a draft legislation allowing people of Lebanese origins to obtain the Lebanese nationality.

Sleiman and his wife also visited the Human Museum in Mexico City.

Sleiman and Lebanese Mexican businessmen agreed during talks Tuesday to enhance commercial ties between Lebanon and Mexico.

Furthermore, the president met Mexican MPs of Lebanese origin and visited the Mexican Council of Senates where he held a meeting with the head of the council Carlos Royerz during which the two tackled Lebanese-Mexican ties.