Lebanon to recognize Palestinian state

Ma'an News:  BEIRUT (Ma'an) -- Lebanon will recognize the State of Palestine "in the next few days," a Lebanese newspaper reported Saturday ahead of a visit by President Mahmoud Abbas.

The report from An-Nahar says Abbas will stay in Lebanon for two days and meet President Michel Sleiman, speaker Nabih Berri and premier Najib Mikati, Now Lebanon reported.

Lebanon remains the only Arab country not to have officially recognized Palestine. In July, neighboring Syria gave its support to a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders.

When Abbas arrives in Beirut on Aug. 16, he and Suleiman will talk about developments between the two countries, as well as discussing the situation of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

There are currently over 400,000 Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA in Lebanon and the fragile sectarian composition of Lebanese society makes their presence a sensitive issue.

Refugees in the country have long suffered discrimination and are deprived of basic rights.