Beirut (ILO News) - ILO Director-General Guy Ryder met with the President of the Republic of Lebanon, H.E. Michel Aoun, at the Baabda Palace on the outskirts of the capital Beirut on Monday 3 April.

The meeting took place during Guy Ryder’s first official visit to Lebanon as ILO Director-General.

Ryder briefed President Aoun on his visit, which included meetings with the Lebanese Minister of Labour Mohammad Kabbara and with trade union and employer organization representatives. Ryder also briefed Aoun on his visit to the Beqaa region, during which he discussed with members of Lebanese host communities and Syria refugees issues relating to employment and living conditions in light of the refugee crisis.

President Aoun stressed the need for the international community to support Lebanon and assist it to respond to the challenges brought about by the refugee crisis.

Ryder was accompanied by Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat, and Senior Advisor to the Director-General for Africa and Arab States Yasser Hassan. His visit to Lebanon concluded shortly after the meeting, following his participation in a regional high-level meeting on the Future of Work in the Arab region in Beirut.