BEIRUT:
Canada’s foreign minister emphasized Monday his country’s unwavering
support for Lebanon, as his Lebanese counterpart announced that the two
countries were seeking to launch direct flights. Canadian Foreign
Minister Stephane Dion said during a joint news conference with
caretaker Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil that “Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau was keen to support Lebanon.”

“Lebanon is a
priority and we will do everything in our capability to help the country
to cope with the large influx of refugees.” He noted that his
country already has several projects to assist Lebanon, including its
support to the Lebanese Armed Forces, women and reforms to improve
prison conditions. Dion also called for the swift formation of a new Cabinet.

Bassil
urged Canada to increase its support to Lebanon, reiterating his call
for the return of Syrian refugees to safe zones in their war-torn
country. “We believe that the safe return of Syrians is the only
solution for this crisis and we look forward to Canada’s help in this
regard.”

He also called for direct aid to the Lebanese government
to help it cope with the crisis, adding that Lebanon’s economy had
deteriorated due to the refugee influx. “We need a radical solution to the problem.”

The caretaker FM described ties between Lebanon and Canada as “excellent,” calling for stronger trade relations. He disclosed that a Canadian delegation began preparing a study on opening a direct air link between the two countries.

Lebanon’s
economy and infrastructure has been heavily impacted by the onset of
the Syrian conflict and resulting influx of refugees.

There are
currently 1.1 million Syrian refugees registered with the U.N. refugee
agency UNHCR in the country. However, the Lebanese government estimates
the figure to be around 1.5 million.

Dion headed earlier in the
day to Baabda Palace to congratulate President Michel Aoun on his recent
election as Lebanon’s 13th head of state.

During their meeting, Aoun and Dion discussed the refugee crisis and means to aid Lebanon.

The
Lebanese president emphasized the need to find a political solution to
the crisis in Syria, which would have a positive impact on the refugee
crisis.

The two also touched on improving bilateral ties.

Dion,
who is on a four-day visit to Lebanon, later headed to caretaker Prime
Minister Tammam Salam’s residence in Beirut’s Moseitbeh area, where the
two officials discussed recent developments in Lebanon and the region.

The FM also met with Speaker Nabih Berri.

He
arrived in Beirut Friday to meet with top officials, tour Army posts on
the Syrian border, and visit refugees in tented settlements who receive
assistance from Canada.

He also met with Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri over the weekend.

Dion
told The Daily Star Sunday that his country was seeking to build strong
ties with the new Lebanese administration, despite Hezbollah’s
involvement.

“We are back in Lebanon,” he said, addressing the shift in policy under Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Canadian FM’s visit comes amid a flurry of diplomatic activity in Lebanon following Aoun’s election.