Lebanese Minister of Public Works Ghazi Al-Areedi Monday described the talks between King Abdullah and visiting Lebanese President Michel Suleiman as cordial. The talks served a reminder of positive historical stances between the two countries and a confirmation that the Kingdom treats all Lebanese equally, he said. Al-Areedi was part of the Lebanese delegation which was received by King Abdullah on Sunday night. King Abdullah and President Suleiman had frank discussions on on all Lebanese pressing issues, he said. The summit was a road map for strategic relations and boosting Arab solidarity, he added. The summit revolved around political, economic, commercial, and security aspects, Al-Areedi said. The terrorism dossier was also discussed in the talks with a serious concern to continue war on terror. Answering a question on whether the talks dealt with Lebanon's relations with some neighboring countries, Al-Areedi said: they stressed the necessity for non-intervention of any neighboring country in the Lebanese internal affairs, and the keenness to safeguard Lebanon's independence, security, and sovereignty. He pointed out that they agreed to form committees to follow up the agreements of the Jeddah summit. He added that Dr. Abdul Aziz Khojah, the Kingdom's Ambassador to Lebanon, who is playing a big positive role in strengthening the strategic relations between the two countries, will carry out what has been agreed on in the summit. The Kingdom was the first country to support Lebanon in its battle against terrorists in Nahr Al-Bared, as it provided quick humanitarian aid and funds to develop and modernize the area. As to the economic agenda in the talks, Al-Areedi said the two leaders discussed all its details as the Kingdom has extended all out support to Lebanon on this issue. As to whether Jeddah summit contributed in clearing the air among Arab countries, he said the Kingdom and Lebanon were and still are keen to boost solidarity and clear all the intra-Arab misconceptions. The chairman of the Future Bloc, one of the main political groups in Lebanon, Sa'ad Al-Hariri, said Lebanese view Suleiman's visit to the Kingdom as reflecting the aspiration of all Lebanese nationals. He added that the Saudi-Lebanese relations have endured all tests. He cited the Kingdom's support for Lebanon in the most difficult circumstances. He lauded King Abdullah's assistance to students in all regions of Lebanon and his keenness to safeguard Lebanon's unity, safety, and stability. – Okaz __
