Heads of foreign diplomatic missions and international organizations offices accredited in Lebanon attended the event. President M.Sleiman and Mgr. Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio of Vatican, Dean of the diplomatic corps, delivered their solemn addresses to the participants.

In particular, in his speech M. Sleiman summarized the results of the last year and outlined prospects of the country’s development in 2013. Among them are:  Beirut’s further commitment to the policy of distancing from the Syrian conflict; preservation of the principle of “consensus democracy” (reaching accord via dialogue between the main Lebanese factions), comprehensive efforts of the government and the Lebanese army to ensure security in the country; resolving the problem of Syrian refugees and overcoming negative tendencies in the economy.

The speech of Mgr. Archbishop Gabrielle Caccia had much in common with the provisions of the Lebanese President’s address.