Fraternal rhetoric ruled when Romanian President Traian Basescu welcomed his Lebanese counterpart President Michel Sleiman (in picture, left) to Bucharest today ( February 28 ). Basescu promised military equipment and training for Lebanon and named the country as the top Arab investor in Romania, pointing out that Lebanese business people have invested over EUR 2 billion in Romania so far.

Lebanon ranks first among Arab investors in Romania, said the Romanian president. He also added that Lebanese stability is vital for the Middle East region and that Romania is ready to contribute to consolidate Lebanon's stability.

“I said Romania is ready to donate military equipment and ammunition to consolidate the Lebanese army's capacity. I assured Mr Sleiman we are ready to increase the number of scholarships for Lebanese students, based on the education priorities of the Lebanese Government. Via the bilateral agreement, we can train Lebanese officers in our Military Academy,” said the Romanian President.

Romania previously donated ammunition to the Lebanese army in 2008.

Michel Sleiman, on an official visit to Bucharest until February 29, thanked President Basescu for having supported Lebanon's sovereignty and integrity and talked about continued efforts to convince Israel to comply with UN Resolution 1701.

In 2006, the United Nations issued the Resolution 1701, intended to resolve the Israel-Lebanon conflict. The 2006 Lebanon War was a 34-day military conflict in Lebanon, northern Israel and the Golan Heights between Hezbollah paramilitary forces and the Israeli military. The UN managed to broker a ceasefire in August 2006.

editor@romania-insider.com