The ninth Francophone Summit will begin as scheduled, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the secretary-general of the Francophone League, announced upon his arrival at Beirut International Airport on Tuesday. The former United Nations secretary-general is in Lebanon on a three-day visit to oversee procedures for the upcoming Francophone Summit, where a number of heads of state are scheduled to meet in Beirut next month, reported the Daily Star newspaper.
Amid media speculation that the summit might be postponed because of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, Boutros-Ghali painted a promising picture of the position French-speaking countries have taken in regard to the event, said the paper.
“I assure you that the summit will take place,” he said, adding that he was in Lebanon to meet with those in charge of preparations, namely President Emile Lahoud, Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh.
“Preparations are going remarkably well,” Boutros-Ghali added, and stressed that “the heads of state of member countries will be present.” But Boutros-Ghali steered clear of commenting on the worldwide anti-terrorism campaign the United States has championed after last week’s deadly attacks in New York and Washington.
Salameh, who was at the airport to greet Boutros-Ghali, said “the visit by the secretary-general (of the Francophone League) is to put the finishing touches on summit preparations, and expressed the utmost hope that it will begin on time as expected – Albawaba.com
