Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, during his meeting with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, urged the international community to "support Lebanon in addressing the Syrian refugee crisis, which has grown to pose a danger to Lebanon and its social fabric." Mikati pointed out that "the government has completed the necessary reform projects required by the International Monetary Fund, and the file is now in the hands of the parliament to decide what it sees fit."
For her part, Nuland called on Lebanese authorities to "hasten the election of a new president," emphasizing that "Washington supports any Lebanese-Lebanese dialogue in this regard." She also urged Lebanon to "activate cooperation with international organizations, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, to address the new Syrian displacement issue and all aspects of the displacement file," stressing that "Washington supports the Lebanese army, and it is essential to complete the necessary economic and financial reforms." The meeting included Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib and U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ethan Goldrich.
Mikati arrived in New York today to represent Lebanon at the 78th annual session of the United Nations General Assembly.
**Danish Prime Minister**
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen considered, during her meeting with Najib Mikati at the UN, that "Lebanon is one of the very important countries as it serves as a gateway between East and West, and its existence guarantees freedoms and cultural diversity." Mikati, who continued his meetings at the UN with the presence of Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib, thanked the Danish Prime Minister for her country's consistent support for Lebanon, particularly as it is the second-largest donor for development projects in Lebanon. He also thanked Denmark for enacting a law prohibiting disrespect for religious sanctities, which is central to Lebanon's role in establishing principles of respect among different religions, and extended an invitation for her to visit Lebanon.
The Lebanese side was represented by the Chargé d'Affaires of the Lebanon Mission to the UN, Jan Mourad, and the Director of Emigrants at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Hadi Hashem. The Danish side included Christina Lassen, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
**Kosovo President**
The Prime Minister also met with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who praised the historical relations between the two countries and again called on Lebanon to recognize Kosovo's independence. She invited Mikati to a conference to be held in Kosovo on the role of women in conflicts.
