Hollande honors Hariri, says Lebanon can always count on France

French President François Hollande on Monday decorated Prime Minister Saad Hariri with the insignia of Commander in the Legion of Honor, confirming to him that Lebanon can always count on France.
"During this time full of conflicts, you can always count on France's support and assistance," Hollande said, addressing Hariri.
"Lebanon must realize that it can always find in France a loyal friend, and France shall always be by your side," he stressed.
"This ceremony today is to salute the solid ties between France and Lebanon," he said.
"This is a big day for you, for France, for friendship and for Lebanon," he concluded.
For his part, Hariri underlined the strong bilateral relations.
Moreover, he warned that the values of coexistence, dialogue, and moderation were nowadays threatened by extremists and xenophobic.
"We will together continue the battle against those," he maintained.
Hariri has earlier held talks with the French President over the current situation in Lebanon and the broader Arab region, in addition to Lebanon's hardship due to the Syrian refugee crisis.

Source: NNA