Beirut - Lebanon''s Prime Minister, Tammam Salam, today sent a congratulation message to whom he described as a ''great leader'' Fidel Castro, on occasion of his 90th birthday, while he praised the international dimension of Cuba.

'He, with his wisdom, was capable of maintaining stability and unity of the Cuban people and, also make the world knows and respects Cuba's sovereignty,' Salam said about the historical leader of the Revolution, who turned 90 on August 13.

The Lebanese executive head received Cuban ambassador to this Arab country, Rene Ceballo, in his office at the Grand Serail in Beirut. Ceballo participated as part of his courtesy visits to local authorities to bid farewell after completing soon his mission here.

During the warm and friendly talk, as the ambassador defined it, Salam said the Caribbean island is 'a small country in size, but big in the international arena' and said he hopes to continue with the Revolution support to this nation.

He even remarked with evident gratitude the fact that Cuba maintained under any circumstances the presence of an ambassador in Lebanon, saying that he has always felt 'a great admiration and affection' for the Caribbean nation and its people.

The prime minister also praised the work carried out by the Cuban diplomat during his mission in Beirut in favor of strengthening ties and, particularly, in the expansion of the economic and trade relations.