Slim arrived in Lebanon on Thursday, one day after Forbes’s magazine announced him as the richest man on earth.

Helu met President, Michel Suleiman who vowed on him to initiate new investments. The businessman also met with Parliament Speaker, Nabih Berri who called on him to invest in the South to support growth of the ignored region. Prime Minister, Saad Hariri hosted Slim for a lunch which was attended by Ministers and Lebanese businessmen.

Helu will stay for one-week in Beirut; his last visit to the country was in 1964. His daughter Soumaya, is expected to arrive in Beirut as well heading a delegation of Mexican businessmen who are eyeing new investments in Lebanon.