More international backing for the new Lebanese government

Lebanese Prime Minister Salim al-Hoss on Tuesday received several Arab and foreign ambassadors accredited to Lebanon who conveyed their governments' congratulations to al-Hoss and his new government.

The British ambassador in Beirut conveyed a message from British Prime Minister Tony Blair to al-Hoss, in which he stressed the British government's continued support for achieving further progress in the Middle East peace process, especially reviving the Syrian and Lebanese tracks.

In his message, Blair expressed his confidence and desire to see further consolidation of bilateral relations between Lebanon and Britain. The British ambassador and al-Hoss highlighted the priorities adopted by the new Lebanese government and the contributions of the British government in this respect.

Al-Hoss also received the Canadian ambassador in Beirut, who has also stressed that his government supports the Lebanese government and encourages the current development of bilateral relations and the new Lebanese inclination to carry out reforms in the administration and in social sectors.

For his part, the Jordanian ambassador conveyed to al-Hoss a message of congratulations from Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan Bin Talal conveying best wishes for continued Lebanese progress and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, the ambassadors of Australia, Pakistan. Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Korea and India and the Iranian charge d'affairs in Beirut conveyed their governments congratulations to al-Hoss on forming the new Lebanese government. The Dutch ambassador to Lebanon stressed his country's "full backing to Lebanon."