US President George W. Bush welcomed Lebanese President Michel Sleiman for talks Thursday to underline "US support for democratic rule in Beirut free from any undue Syrian influence". Lebanese-Americans "want Lebanon to be free and sovereign and independent, and so do I, and so do you," Bush told his guest during a brief joint public appearance as they met in the Oval Office for the first time.

"We are here, also, to reaffirm our right to have a prosperous, Lebanon, a democratic Lebanon, a country that it is diverse in its nature and through its people," Sleiman said through an interpreter.
Bush praised Lebanon's ongoing national reconciliation talks, which bring together rival leaders of pro-Syrian and anti-Syrian factions in a dialogue that will set the tone for parliamentary elections due next year. 

"We're most impressed by the national dialogue that you're holding in an attempt to seek reconciliation. The United States is proud to stand by your side. our mission is your mission: A country that is strong, and capable, and a country where people can live in in peace," said Bush. "It's been a long time since the president of Lebanon has been in the Oval Office. And it is my honor to host you for this occasion," he added. 

"I am delighted to be here," said Sleiman. "I am here to thank for all the efforts that you have undertaken to support Lebanon, particularly the Lebanese military institutions." 

"We are also here to reaffirm the need to liberate all Lebanese territories, and also to make it very clear that the future of Palestinian refugees is in their homeland -- not in Lebanon," the Lebanese President said. 

An estimated 400,000 Palestinian refugees live in 12 camps in Lebanon. According to the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), there are around 4.6 million Palestinian refugees worldwide. Most of the Palestinian refugees came to Lebanon when the state of Israel was created in 1948. There are fears among the Lebanese that their settlement will be permanent, shifting the country's delicate sectarian balance. 

Neither leader specifically mentioned Syria, which withdrew its forces from its smaller neighbor after a high-profile political slaying in 2005, but continues to wield influence through its allies in Beirut including the Shiite militant movement Hezbollah. Deep-seated divisions over the group's arsenal fuel widespread skepticism that the national dialogue will yield a defense strategy for Lebanon. A first
session was held on September 16 and another has been set for November 5. The talks are the fruit of Qatari-brokered accord that also led to Sleiman's election and the formation of a nationl unity cabinet
The deal ended a debilitating 18-month political crisis between pro- and anti-Syrian sides culminated in May in an armed Hezbollah-led takeover of large swathes of mostly Sunni west Beirut sparking sectarian violence throughout the country that left 65 dead.