Armenian president: Lebanon takes serious steps toward recognition of genocide

YEREVAN, November 28. /ARKA/. Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude to Lebanese speaker and deputies for serious steps taken toward recognition of the Armenian genocide, the press service of Armenian president reported referring to the president’s speech in the Lebanese parliament.

Lebanon adopted a genocide condemning resolution and won the respect and the sympathy of all Armenians, Sargsyan said.

The presidents pointed out that Armenians will always remember the unquestionable support of the Lebanese people after the government-organized genocide of Armenians in Turkey in 1915.

“Hospitable, friendly and tolerant Lebanon became the refuge where smithereens of Armenians found salvation and asylum, got stronger and stood on their own feet while taking an active part and integrating in the political, socioeconomic and cultural life of Lebanon, yet managing to preserve their cultural wealth and values,” the president said.

A centuries-long friendship and solid historic and cultural connections tie Armenia with Lebanon, Sargsyan said.

The president also said that Armenian government has attached importance to cooperation with Arab world since the first days of its independence. First embassies were opened in Arab countries.

Armenian genocide was the first genocide committed in XX century. Turkey denies the accusation of massacres and the killing of one and a half million Armenians during World War I.

The fact of the Armenian genocide is recognized by many countries, particularly by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, 42 of the U.S. states, as well as by the parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium, National Council of Switzerland, Common House of Canada, the Sejm of Poland and lower house of Italian parliament. -0-