Beirut, 23 January 2010. The Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez Costa played a tight but successful program during his visit to Lebanon which ended here this tuesday.

Under the Bilateral Agreement signed between the two countries in 2006, the Cuban Deputy Minister held a meeting with his Lebanese counterpart, William Habib, in which various political issues of mutual interest were reviewed, being appreciated the willingness to develop cooperation in various fields.

Rodriguez was also received by Tarek Mitri, Minister of Information and government spokesman, with whom he explored the possibilities of exchanges on massmedia of both countries.

He also exchanged with Ali Abdallah, Minister of Youth and Sports, who confirmed his forthcoming working visit to Cuba to assess the chances of cooperation between their ministries.

Similarly, Cuban Vice Foreign Minister held contacts with leaders of the major progressive forces in Lebanon, including Lebanese Communist Party, the Party of God (Hezbollah), the Progressive Socialist Party and the Reconstruction of Lebanon Current, among others, as well as with Democratic and Popular Fronts for the Liberation of Palestine.

Rodriguez also talked with the leaders of the Lebanese-Cuba Friendship Association, Lebanese Committee for the Liberation of the Five, the Lebanese and Palestinians Alumni Associations and a representation of the Cuban community in Lebanon.

In special audience, the Cuban official was hosted by Nabih Berri, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament, who recalled his last fraternal visit to Cuba and expressed his appreciation to the Cuban people's heroic resistance against the criminal economic blockade imposed for more than 50 years to the island by the United States.

The Cuban Deputy Minister reiterated his country's support for the just cause of the Lebanese and Palestinian people against the Israeli enemy.