BEIRUT, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon's President Michel Aoun reiterated Monday his call for international bodies to help facilitate the return of more than 1.5 million refugees on Lebanese soil to their homeland.
"We focused on the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian crisis and the need to speed up a solution for the refugees, in order to facilitate their return to safe zones," Aoun said in a joint news conference with Australia's Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.
Cosgrove and his wife Lady Lynn Cosgrove arrived in Lebanon Sunday on a three-day visit.
Aoun emphasized the bilateral ties between Australia and Lebanon.
"We called for renewed Australian support to defend our lawful rights and we must not forget the duty to implement international agreements including 1701," Aoun said, in reference to UN Resolution 1701, which halted all the military operations between Israel and Hezbollah following the 33-day war in July 2006.
Aoun also spoke of Lebanon's calls for the country to become a designated hub for interfaith and intercultural dialogue.
For his part, Cosgrove thanked Aoun and Lebanon for the friendly welcome accorded to him and his delegation.
"Lebanon and Australia have deep social ties. I spoke of the important role the Lebanese diaspora played in the development of our nation," the Australian governor said.
