Accra (Greater Accra), 18th May ?99 ?

President Jerry John Rawlings on Monday warned against unfair business practices and said the government would deal ruthlessly with businessmen who engaged in illegal activities.

"Law abiding businessmen would enjoy the support of the government and when they run into difficulties we shall come to their aid", he said.

The President said this when he granted audience to Dr. Mounir Khreish, Ambassador of Lebanon, at the Castle, Osu. He called to say farewell after four years duty tour.

He said the Lebanese community is contributing to the economic development of the country, moving away from trading to manufacturing.

The President was, however, unhappy about the behaviour of some Lebanese, who marry Ghanaian women but abandon them when they grow old and return to Lebanon to marry Lebanese women.

He said they give everything to their new Lebanese wives and children in their will, leaving their Ghanaian wives and children with nothing.

"This is unjust and we feel bad about it."

President Rawlings revisited the Kosovo issue and said it was pathetic that no Arab nation is contributing to the upkeep of the Kosovo refugees who are Muslims.

He said Western countries are either taking in some of the refugees or are contributing cash for their upkeep.

Mr Victor Gbeho, Foreign Affairs Minister, said the Lebanese community "has become part of our lives, contributing to the development of the country".

Dr. Khreish said Ghanaian women, who intend marrying Lebanese Muslims need to be made aware that in Islam a man cannot will his property to a non-Muslim.

"Also, some of the marriages between Ghanaian women and Lebanese are not registered. Problems thus crop up when the man dies," he said.