Ruler of Dubai Meets Salam, Says UAE Not Targeting Lebanese

Prime Minister Tammam Salam met with prominent state leaders on Saturday during his second-day visit to the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Salam held talks with the vice president of the United Arab Emirates and Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashed al-Maktoum.

The PM reportedly discussed with Sheikh Mohammed the UAE decision to deport around 90 Lebanese from the country.

The Gulf state recently gave a 24-hour notice to some Lebanese to leave in the latest wave of deportations from the state.

Sheikh Mohammed vowed to follow up the matter with his country's authorities, stressing that there is no official decision to target the Lebanese living in the UAE.

He pointed out that all measures taken against some Lebanese expats are merely linked to security concerns and don't exceed this limit.

The PM later held a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz.

Salam lauded during his talks with the Saudi official Riyadh's support to Lebanon, praising its continuous aid to the army.

For his part, prince Muqrin stressed his country's keenness to preserve unity in Lebanon, calling on them to overcome their political differences.

The premier also held a meeting with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Friday evening.

On Friday, Salam announced in a speech at the Egypt Economic Development Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh his confidence in Egypt's ability to “overcome the tough phase,” as he reminded that Lebanon is also facing a “fierce terrorist onslaught.”

He said that Lebanon wants to see Egypt “safe, strong and prosperous” with “an active role” in the Arab world.

“We have succeeded in confronting this fierce onslaught and to achieve a high level of security immunity in the country through our army and security forces and the help of our brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other countries,” the premier added.

Since last year, the Lebanese army has been confronting jihadist groups entrenched on the country's porous eastern border with Syria. It fought bloody clashes with the militants after they overran the border town of Arsal on August 2.

“Together with Egypt we are capable to foil strife, defeat darkness and emerge victorious in the struggle of wills. We can pave the way for our people towards a bright and promising future,” Salam added.

The premier held talks on Friday with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah at his place of residence in Sharm el-Sheikh and with Jordanian King Abdullah II, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini.

H.K.

D.A.