US, UK support Lebanon's sovereignty, security

US President Barack Obama and UK Premier David Cameron reiterated their countries' commitment to Lebanon's sovereignty and security, a presidential statement said Saturday. The media office at Lebanon's Presidential Palace said that Obama and Cameron's remarks came in two separate congratulatory cables to President Michel Suleiman on the 70th anniversary of Lebanon's Independence. In his message, Obama praised Lebanon's prosperity despite the diversification of its population. He also noted with satisfaction the countless contributions by Americans of Lebanese ethnicity to the fabric of the US society, including services rendered to the US military. Obama reiterated US commitment to Lebanese sovereignty, security and independence and noted the level of collaboration between US and Lebanese armed forces. The president expressed support for the International Tribunal for Lebanon in its bid to track down political assassins and make them stand trial. He also pledged to gather enough international support for Lebanon in order to cope with the influx of large numbers of Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron highly praised, in his letter to Suleiman, Lebanon's accomplishments in the past seven years despite instability in the Middle East region. He acknowledged the fact that Lebanon is facing up many challenges, including hosting of a large number of victims of the Syrian crisis. Cameron also renewed UK's commitment to a prosperous, stable and secure Lebanon.