BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Suleiman yesterday stressed the importance of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah's visit to Lebanon , which he said would benefit Arab unity as a whole. President Suleiman was interviewed by Board Chairman and Director General of Kuwait News Agency Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah. He said the Amir's role during the Arab Economic and Social Development Summit hosted by Kuwait last year was key in achieving Arab reconciliationvand furthering the march to prosperity. He also praised the Amir's proposals during the summit, which included establishing a free-trade zone, a joint customs body, and a joint Arab market.

The Lebanese President referred to continuous Israeli threats and accusations against his country, and considered these a ploy to distract international opinion and escape pressure over Arab and Palestinian rights.

As a means to confront the Israelis, he said that would be through unity among the Lebanese, among the Palestinians, and among all Arabs. "When Sheikh Sabah visits Lebanon, he comes to his home, and we consider his visit 'exceptional', in view of strong Kuwaiti-Lebanese relations, especially on political issues and in supporting the Lebanese development and economy.

The visit, which comes within the framework of his tour which includes stops in Egypt, Syria and Jordan, "would benefit all Arab countries, the Arab cause, and Arab solidarity," the president noted.

The visit comes at such a critical time as the Arab region is facing great tension due to Israeli threats to Syria and Lebanon, the failure of the peace process, and unsuccessful efforts of US President Barack Obama to bring the region closer to a peace settlement, he remarked.

President Suleiman also praised the Gulf Cooperation Council for its role, and especially Kuwait, in supporting Lebanon's stability through aid, loans and moral support. He recalled Kuwait's stand in support of Lebanon since back in 1966, through loans for important state projects. He also referred to aid presented by the Kuwait Fund for Economic and Social Development, consisting of 17 loans worth $600 million, covering all Lebanese areas and without conditions.

Suleiman also said that Kuwait has provided grants to Lebanon in the aftermath of the war in 1996, which amounted to $37 million, for the reconstruction of villages in southern Lebanon, and other grants worth $300 million after the Israeli aggression on southern Lebanon in 2006. He also praised the continuous support extended by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society.

The president referred to the Amir of Kuwait's initiative during the Economic and Social Development Summit, held in Kuwait last year, of establishing a fund for Arab investment, to which His Highness contributed $500 million.

To a question about Arab reconciliation efforts by His Highness the Amir during the Arab Economic Summit, President Suleiman said that "the Amir is known for his role of mediation in resolving critical issues and disputes." He added that His Highness was willing to address the issue courageously and was able to accomplish reconciliation during the Arab summit he hosted.

The president noted there was some tension and faltering regarding the said Arab reconciliation, but a part of the mission has been accomplished and we are now waiting for the final part.

He also praised the role of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz regarding Arab reconciliation efforts during the Arab Economic Summit. On the recent Israeli threats against Lebanon, President Suleiman said: "We recognize that these threats and accusations are ways for Israel to escape international pressures regarding the Arab and Palestinian rights.

Israel is in the habit of committing "racist activities against Palestinians through building settlements and setting laws that affect religious sites and ensure continued oppression of the Palestinians.

The only way to face Israeli threats is to achieve unity, the unity of the Lebanese people; of the Palestinians; of the Arabs. There should also be Arab military coordination and support of resistance movements at times when Israeli aggression peaks.

As for Lebanese stability and security, President Suleiman described it as "challenging", the 18 sects in Lebanon were able to establish a stable political system. And Lebanon had witnessed democratic election for two consecutive times forming a united government twice during the past two years.

President Suleiman added that the next stage requires many reforms in Lebanon, including changes to the judicial system, electoral, administrative, and economic frameworks.

On agreement among the Lebanese on the national defense strategy, Suleiman said that meetings held by the national dialogue officials may not bring immediate results, but would be very useful and lead to a common understanding among political parties. This would also yield regulations that would benefit from Lebanese capabilities to draft such strategies, which guarantees "Lebanon's national capabilities and strength.

On Lebanon and Arab efforts to prevent further tension in the Middle East, the Lebanese President said, "My visits and other Arab leader's visits are part of those efforts to calm the situation in the Middle East.

I cannot say that we remove tensions, but these efforts are useful to clarify the Arab stand and points of view on many issues, and determination to defend the Arab interests," he said.

When we all talk the same way out of the same conviction, we can show them (the world) that we are at least united in our vision, and therefore could reduce danger.

In conclusion, President Suleiman reaffirmed the importance of Arab solidarity and the establishment of strong Arab relations, eliminating the idea of any Arab country attacking another. He also stressed the need for more effort towards economic integration and additional investments among Arab states. - Kuwait Times