Lebanese President Michel Aoun arrived in Rome with the accompanying delegation. Upon his arrival the Lebanese President Michel Aoun made a brief statement to the Italian press, La Stampa, and declared that the future of the region will be set off in Beirut and added, “Mr. Hariri will remain, for sure, Lebanon’s Prime Minister.” the Italian newspaper reported.
President Aoun statement was said one day after Hariri’s interview with French TV channel CNews Monday, and during which he said he wants to remain Lebanon’s PM, preferring to keep what happened in Saudi Arabia, where he was believed to be held there against his will, to himself.
President Michel Aoun will stay in Rome for a three-day official visit after he received an invitation from his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella, with whom he will hold talks at the Italian presidential palace, featuring Lebanese-Italian relations and means of developing them in all fields. The president will take part in a Euro-Mediterranean conference that will be held in Rome alongside heads of state and premiers from European and Mediterranean countries.
The president is also scheduled to meet the Lebanese Diaspora living in Italy, accompanied by Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil who has ended his LDE tour and will join President Aoun in Italy.
Hala Hayek Najjar