Lebanese prime minister arrives in UAE for two-day official visit

Saad Hariri to speak at Lebanon-UAE investment forum on Monday

Saad Hariri is received by Lt General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior on Sunday. Courtesy: Wam

Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri arrived in the UAE on Sunday for the first leg of his tour of Arab states in a push for investment to help his country overcome its economic crisis.

Mr Hariri arrived at Al Bateen Executive Airport on Sunday, where he was received by Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior.

Sheikh Saif and Mr Hariri discussed issues of mutual interest, state news agency Wam reported.

Mr Hariri will be in the UAE for two days. During this time, he will meet Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

He will also meet other Emirati officials, a statement from the prime minister’s media office said.

On Monday, he will take part in a UAE-Lebanon investment forum that aims to boost economic co-operation between the two countries.

The forum is sponsored by the UAE Economy Ministry and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce, at the St Regis Hotel, a statement said.

Mr Hariri will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, comprising six ministers, the Governor of the Banque du Liban, and 50 bankers and economists.

The conference will explore prospects for accelerating exchange of expertise and co-operation across primary sectors.

Lebanon's economy suffered a blow on Thursday when Moody's Investors Service put the deposit ratings of its top banks under review for a downgrade.