Lebanon supports Cyprus, says President Christofias

The President of Lebanon Michel Sleiman has assured President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias that Lebanon will support Nicosia with regard to the Cyprus issue.

President Christofias met on Monday the President of Lebanon, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, whom he briefed on developments in the Cyprus problem with respect to ongoing direct talks which began earlier this month.

Describing the meeting as friendly, Christofias said “the President of Lebanon thanked us for the role we played during the crisis in Lebanon and assured that he will always be on our side.”

“He (Sleiman) briefed us about the efforts for reconciliation in Lebanon”, he said, noting that “we were pleased to hear that the situation is returning to normal.”

Christofias said that he considers the restoration of diplomatic relations between Lebanon and Syria as very important.

“Relations between Cyprus and Lebanon, I would say brotherly,” he pointed out, adding that the two countries share common values which they defend and have common problems to tackle.

Christofias announced that they have agree to exchange visits between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and between the Presidents in 2009.

He assured Sleiman that Cyprus will always be on Lebanon’s side.