Lebanon’s historic summit in pictures

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Saudi Arabiaโ€™s king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Syriaโ€™s president Bashar al- Assad held a meeting at Baabda presidential palace in the presence of Speaker Nabih Berri , PM Saad Hariri .

Following that meeting the 3 leaders held a closed door meeting before the lucheon that was hosted by president Suleiman at the Baabda.

Speaker Nabih Berri told reporters following the meeting that the atmosphere in Baabda is excellent

Saudi Arabiaโ€™s king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Syriaโ€™s president Bashar al- Assad arrived in Beirut aboard the same plane at about 2 pm Beirut time Friday , for talks with Lebanese officials aimed at defusing the tension in Lebanon.

After a welcoming ceremony at the airport Suleiman, Abdullah and Assad held a brief meeting at the airport before heading to Baabda palace for summit talks.

At Baabda palace they were later joined by Berri and Hariri for talks

This is Abdullahโ€™s first visit to Beirut as the Saudi king. He had attended the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002 when he was still the crown prince. He became the first Saudi monarch to visit the country since 1957.

As for Assad, this is his first visit since eight years . His visit comes after the resumption of normal ties between the two countries following five years of tension that erupted after Haririโ€™s assassination in February 2005.

An Nahar newspaper reported that around 250 people have been invited for a luncheon which will be hosted by president Suleiman.

According to An Nahar Phalange leader Amin Gemayel and Lebanese Forces chief Samir Geagea were not invited. It is not clear if Hezbollah leader was invited . Baabda sources told LBC the presidential palace did not send an invitation to former presidents, including Gemayel and Lahoud, to attend the luncheon.

According to An Nahar, Phalange MPs and ministers who have been invited decided toย  boycott the luncheon .

Abdullah and Hariri

Following the luncheon King Abdullah headed to the Center House where he was welcomed by Hariri and a number of political, religious, and social figures. A meeting was held between PM Hariri and King Abdullah at the Center House in the presence of former PMs Omar Karami, Najib Mikati, and Fouad Siniora.

Assad and Suleiman

While Abdullah was meeting with Hariri , Suleiman was meeting with Assad at the Baabda palace.

President Michel Suleiman ( R) during a closed door meeting with Syrian president Bashar al Assad

Assad and Berri

Speaker Nabih Berri during a closed door meeting with with Syrian president Bashar al Assad

A closed door meeting was also held at the the Baabda palace between Assad and Berri

Mouallem and Hezbollah

Another meeting was held o at the presidential palace between Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem and a number of Hezbollah MPs.

End of the summit

The historic summit was concluded at around 6:00pm . King Abdullah and President Assad urged in a statement all the Lebanese to commit to not resort to violence and place Lebanonโ€™s interest above any factional ones.

Presidents Suleiman and Assad then headed to Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport in preparation of the Syrian presidentโ€™s departure.

PM Saad Hariri accompanied by King Abdullah headed to the airport in preparation for departure of the Saudi monarch

At 6:16 pm the visiting leaders departed from Beirut airport.

The emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani is also expected in Beirut Friday evening.

The emir, who is staying until Sunday, is expected to meet separately with Lebanese leaders and scheduled to visit the south of the country to inspect the Qatari-sponsored reconstruction projects that were launched following the July 2006 war between Hezbollah and Israel

Saudi Arabiaโ€™s king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Syriaโ€™s president Bashar al- Assad held a meeting at Baabda presidential palace in the presence of Speaker Nabih Berri , PM Saad Hariri
Saudi Arabiaโ€™s king Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz and Syriaโ€™s president Bashar al- Assad at the lucheon that was hosted by president Suleiman at the Baabda palace .
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23 responses to “Lebanon’s historic summit in pictures”

  1. Frankly, who cares. I am disappointed with the hoopla given to this summit. Why I ask !!!! only to diffuse tension between the culprits (syria, h/a) and the innocents. Why such a summit didn’t take place when lebanese were slaughtered on the hand of the syrian. This is shameful to give such importance and attention to a known terrorist group (h/a) ahead of an unknown formal indictment by a legitimate international court. Why is h/a acting this way, what do they know!!! I am ashamed of the latest events taking place in Lebanon. Instead of talking about rebuilding, growth, prosperity….Here you have assembled the thugs of syria, h/a under the umbrage of the Saudi’s to diffuse an uncalled internal war in Lebanon spearheaded by h/a. I am surprised they did not invite ahmadinejad, but I guess the Saudi plane is too small to contain assad and a/j and associate puppets. Mr. Suleiman you should rethink how to govern a country and not being run by outside influences. At the rate we are going, our fate as Lebanese is getting closer to the fate of the Palestinians. Where we are refugees in our own country. Please do not let this happen.

    1. President Souleiman of Lebanon is holding a bomb in each hand. He can’t face Hizballah by force and can’t ignore the March 14 leaders. As you know, March 14 represents Sunni and half Christian Block and March 8 “Hizballah” represent Shia and other half of Christian Block. Just little mistake could flair a secterian war between Shia and Sunni that may engulf the whole Middle East. Both March 14 and March 8 are in different direction influenced and supported by Iran/Syria and by the West. Lebanese people are great businessmen and lousy politicians. They never had sense of patriotism. All what they care for is making money and living at large. Don’t blame the President for trying to defuse a dangerous cituation, just blame the Lebanese for putting their faith in Iran, Syria, France etc. istead of their own beautiful and historic country.

  2. Frankly, who cares. I am disappointed with the hoopla given to this summit. Why I ask !!!! only to diffuse tension between the culprits (syria, h/a) and the innocents. Why such a summit didn’t take place when lebanese were slaughtered on the hand of the syrian. This is shameful to give such importance and attention to a known terrorist group (h/a) ahead of an unknown formal indictment by a legitimate international court. Why is h/a acting this way, what do they know!!! I am ashamed of the latest events taking place in Lebanon. Instead of talking about rebuilding, growth, prosperity….Here you have assembled the thugs of syria, h/a under the umbrage of the Saudi’s to diffuse an uncalled internal war in Lebanon spearheaded by h/a. I am surprised they did not invite ahmadinejad, but I guess the Saudi plane is too small to contain assad and a/j and associate puppets. Mr. Suleiman you should rethink how to govern a country and not being run by outside influences. At the rate we are going, our fate as Lebanese is getting closer to the fate of the Palestinians. Where we are refugees in our own country. Please do not let this happen.

  3. Frankly, who cares. I am disappointed with the hoopla given to this summit. Why I ask !!!! only to diffuse tension between the culprits (syria, h/a) and the innocents. Why such a summit didn’t take place when lebanese were slaughtered on the hand of the syrian. This is shameful to give such importance and attention to a known terrorist group (h/a) ahead of an unknown formal indictment by a legitimate international court. Why is h/a acting this way, what do they know!!! I am ashamed of the latest events taking place in Lebanon. Instead of talking about rebuilding, growth, prosperity….Here you have assembled the thugs of syria, h/a under the umbrage of the Saudi’s to diffuse an uncalled internal war in Lebanon spearheaded by h/a. I am surprised they did not invite ahmadinejad, but I guess the Saudi plane is too small to contain assad and a/j and associate puppets. Mr. Suleiman you should rethink how to govern a country and not being run by outside influences. At the rate we are going, our fate as Lebanese is getting closer to the fate of the Palestinians. Where we are refugees in our own country. Please do not let this happen.

  4. Frankly, who cares. I am disappointed with the hoopla given to this summit. Why I ask !!!! only to diffuse tension between the culprits (syria, h/a) and the innocents. Why such a summit didn’t take place when lebanese were slaughtered on the hand of the syrian. This is shameful to give such importance and attention to a known terrorist group (h/a) ahead of an unknown formal indictment by a legitimate international court. Why is h/a acting this way, what do they know!!! I am ashamed of the latest events taking place in Lebanon. Instead of talking about rebuilding, growth, prosperity….Here you have assembled the thugs of syria, h/a under the umbrage of the Saudi’s to diffuse an uncalled internal war in Lebanon spearheaded by h/a. I am surprised they did not invite ahmadinejad, but I guess the Saudi plane is too small to contain assad and a/j and associate puppets. Mr. Suleiman you should rethink how to govern a country and not being run by outside influences. At the rate we are going, our fate as Lebanese is getting closer to the fate of the Palestinians. Where we are refugees in our own country. Please do not let this happen.

  5. Constantin Avatar
    Constantin

    I agree with you Ali, our President is becoming more and more a tool in favour of Hizbullah. No leadership or sense of nationalism whatsoever, he is here to “manage” the crisis within the limited means that he accepted to be imposed on him by Damascus. What a shame….We need a Camille Chamoun, a Raymond Edde, or the like….but la hayata liman tounadi….

  6. Constantin Avatar
    Constantin

    I agree with you Ali, our President is becoming more and more a tool in favour of Hizbullah. No leadership or sense of nationalism whatsoever, he is here to “manage” the crisis within the limited means that he accepted to be imposed on him by Damascus. What a shame….We need a Camille Chamoun, a Raymond Edde, or the like….but la hayata liman tounadi….

  7. Tony A Avatar

    ali fyi HA is only reacting to whats in the press. many leaks have come out and to answer your post as to why other countries didn’t come to lebanon’s support when the syrians were here. would you have wanted to come to a country thats besieged? they couldn’t and they’re sure as hell not gonna risk the saudi king’s life for a torn country.

    your commment re invitation to ahmadinejad is ridiculous.

    no, i am not a refugee in my own country. when i have visited since 2006, 2008 and again i will visit this year, i feel my love for lebanon and i feel free when i go everywhere in lebanon. so your refugee comment is also ridiculous.

    when you visit lebanon, do you actually feel that way or do you love whining like the rest of them.

    1. Tony, h/a is smarter than reacting to the press, stop defending them. How many Lebanese did you meet when you visited Lebanon last!! Isn’t it overpopulated by syrians, saudis, quataris, emiratis,…..and tell me who is buying all these expensive properties in Lebanon!!not your average citizen, Lebanon is being sold one piece at a time, and soon our fate will be like the palestinians.

      1. Tony A Avatar

        okay Ali whatever you say. its like saying whose buying all the properties here in vancouver – all the chinese and not the canadians living here.

        well its gonna happen man. my whole family bought in lebanon and i haven’t chosen to do so yet though i always look when i visit.

        i don’t defend anybody except for my family bro.

        HA are very smart and i’m only stating what is said in the press. i’m not pulling rabbits out of a hat man.

        dont expect miracle solutions with my posts. i’m only saying that the beautiful press thats owned by the saudis keeps taunting HA and will eventually force it to disarm while alienating it slowly from iran with incentives and deals.

        syria’s pro-syrian newspaper itself has given hints as to HA indictments from the STL.

        so for to sit there from the comfort of your 24/24 electricity condo and whine about woh is owning what, well, all of you keep talking about freedom so, what are you complaining about if other nationlaities own in lebanon.

        kuwait owns kiawah island in south carolina you do’t see anyone complaining.

        give lebanon time to stand on its feet and be able to pay its citizens more money, they will own sooner or later.

        when the real estate prices hit a low, usually people sell so, it will even itself out eventually.

        stop worrying over things you or i can’t control.

      2. Tony A Avatar

        okay Ali whatever you say. its like saying whose buying all the properties here in vancouver – all the chinese and not the canadians living here.

        well its gonna happen man. my whole family bought in lebanon and i haven’t chosen to do so yet though i always look when i visit.

        i don’t defend anybody except for my family bro.

        HA are very smart and i’m only stating what is said in the press. i’m not pulling rabbits out of a hat man.

        dont expect miracle solutions with my posts. i’m only saying that the beautiful press thats owned by the saudis keeps taunting HA and will eventually force it to disarm while alienating it slowly from iran with incentives and deals.

        syria’s pro-syrian newspaper itself has given hints as to HA indictments from the STL.

        so for to sit there from the comfort of your 24/24 electricity condo and whine about woh is owning what, well, all of you keep talking about freedom so, what are you complaining about if other nationlaities own in lebanon.

        kuwait owns kiawah island in south carolina you do’t see anyone complaining.

        give lebanon time to stand on its feet and be able to pay its citizens more money, they will own sooner or later.

        when the real estate prices hit a low, usually people sell so, it will even itself out eventually.

        stop worrying over things you or i can’t control.

      3. Tony A Avatar

        okay Ali whatever you say. its like saying whose buying all the properties here in vancouver – all the chinese and not the canadians living here.

        well its gonna happen man. my whole family bought in lebanon and i haven’t chosen to do so yet though i always look when i visit.

        i don’t defend anybody except for my family bro.

        HA are very smart and i’m only stating what is said in the press. i’m not pulling rabbits out of a hat man.

        dont expect miracle solutions with my posts. i’m only saying that the beautiful press thats owned by the saudis keeps taunting HA and will eventually force it to disarm while alienating it slowly from iran with incentives and deals.

        syria’s pro-syrian newspaper itself has given hints as to HA indictments from the STL.

        so for to sit there from the comfort of your 24/24 electricity condo and whine about woh is owning what, well, all of you keep talking about freedom so, what are you complaining about if other nationlaities own in lebanon.

        kuwait owns kiawah island in south carolina you do’t see anyone complaining.

        give lebanon time to stand on its feet and be able to pay its citizens more money, they will own sooner or later.

        when the real estate prices hit a low, usually people sell so, it will even itself out eventually.

        stop worrying over things you or i can’t control.

      4. Tony A Avatar

        okay Ali whatever you say. its like saying whose buying all the properties here in vancouver – all the chinese and not the canadians living here.

        well its gonna happen man. my whole family bought in lebanon and i haven’t chosen to do so yet though i always look when i visit.

        i don’t defend anybody except for my family bro.

        HA are very smart and i’m only stating what is said in the press. i’m not pulling rabbits out of a hat man.

        dont expect miracle solutions with my posts. i’m only saying that the beautiful press thats owned by the saudis keeps taunting HA and will eventually force it to disarm while alienating it slowly from iran with incentives and deals.

        syria’s pro-syrian newspaper itself has given hints as to HA indictments from the STL.

        so for to sit there from the comfort of your 24/24 electricity condo and whine about woh is owning what, well, all of you keep talking about freedom so, what are you complaining about if other nationlaities own in lebanon.

        kuwait owns kiawah island in south carolina you do’t see anyone complaining.

        give lebanon time to stand on its feet and be able to pay its citizens more money, they will own sooner or later.

        when the real estate prices hit a low, usually people sell so, it will even itself out eventually.

        stop worrying over things you or i can’t control.

    2. Tony, h/a is smarter than reacting to the press, stop defending them. How many Lebanese did you meet when you visited Lebanon last!! Isn’t it overpopulated by syrians, saudis, quataris, emiratis,…..and tell me who is buying all these expensive properties in Lebanon!!not your average citizen, Lebanon is being sold one piece at a time, and soon our fate will be like the palestinians.

    3. Tony, h/a is smarter than reacting to the press, stop defending them. How many Lebanese did you meet when you visited Lebanon last!! Isn’t it overpopulated by syrians, saudis, quataris, emiratis,…..and tell me who is buying all these expensive properties in Lebanon!!not your average citizen, Lebanon is being sold one piece at a time, and soon our fate will be like the palestinians.

    4. Tony, h/a is smarter than reacting to the press, stop defending them. How many Lebanese did you meet when you visited Lebanon last!! Isn’t it overpopulated by syrians, saudis, quataris, emiratis,…..and tell me who is buying all these expensive properties in Lebanon!!not your average citizen, Lebanon is being sold one piece at a time, and soon our fate will be like the palestinians.

  8. Tony A Avatar

    ali fyi HA is only reacting to whats in the press. many leaks have come out and to answer your post as to why other countries didn’t come to lebanon’s support when the syrians were here. would you have wanted to come to a country thats besieged? they couldn’t and they’re sure as hell not gonna risk the saudi king’s life for a torn country.

    your commment re invitation to ahmadinejad is ridiculous.

    no, i am not a refugee in my own country. when i have visited since 2006, 2008 and again i will visit this year, i feel my love for lebanon and i feel free when i go everywhere in lebanon. so your refugee comment is also ridiculous.

    when you visit lebanon, do you actually feel that way or do you love whining like the rest of them.

  9. Tony A Avatar

    ali fyi HA is only reacting to whats in the press. many leaks have come out and to answer your post as to why other countries didn’t come to lebanon’s support when the syrians were here. would you have wanted to come to a country thats besieged? they couldn’t and they’re sure as hell not gonna risk the saudi king’s life for a torn country.

    your commment re invitation to ahmadinejad is ridiculous.

    no, i am not a refugee in my own country. when i have visited since 2006, 2008 and again i will visit this year, i feel my love for lebanon and i feel free when i go everywhere in lebanon. so your refugee comment is also ridiculous.

    when you visit lebanon, do you actually feel that way or do you love whining like the rest of them.

  10. Walid Khouri Avatar
    Walid Khouri

    yallaaaa 3abbo btounkon well cha3eb ju3aan

    History will never forget and the people will never forgive…

  11. Tony A Avatar

    walid lol ๐Ÿ™‚ you crack me up. man i see so many people enjoying themselves when i visit bro. LOL

    even in canada you see poor and destitute people. you can’t escape that.

    i cant believe in a country like burma where that idiot has gold laden planes that he actually has hungry people. go figure.

  12. Tony A Avatar

    walid lol ๐Ÿ™‚ you crack me up. man i see so many people enjoying themselves when i visit bro. LOL

    even in canada you see poor and destitute people. you can’t escape that.

    i cant believe in a country like burma where that idiot has gold laden planes that he actually has hungry people. go figure.

  13. Tony A Avatar

    walid lol ๐Ÿ™‚ you crack me up. man i see so many people enjoying themselves when i visit bro. LOL

    even in canada you see poor and destitute people. you can’t escape that.

    i cant believe in a country like burma where that idiot has gold laden planes that he actually has hungry people. go figure.

  14. Tony A Avatar

    walid lol ๐Ÿ™‚ you crack me up. man i see so many people enjoying themselves when i visit bro. LOL

    even in canada you see poor and destitute people. you can’t escape that.

    i cant believe in a country like burma where that idiot has gold laden planes that he actually has hungry people. go figure.

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