Category: Governance

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, received today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Stephane Séjourne, who did not make any statement on emerging but merely described the meeting as “good”.

He added: ‘We have made great progress in the discussions on the French proposals that we presented, and we will continue to exchange views in the coming weeks on the working paper,’ stressing that ‘France will always stand by Lebanon.’

Follow the meeting, Bou Habib spoke to the attending press, whereby he welcomed the French initiative, France’s keenness on the sovereignty and stability of Lebanon, especially in its south, and the exchange of ideas on how to achieve these goals.

He stressed that “the comprehensive and complete implementation of UN Resolution 1701 will achieve the desired stability,” and welcomed “every initiative issued by any side, including Paris and the United States of America.”

“France is capable of playing a pioneering role in the Mediterranean, and
we are counting on its assistance in the Brussels conference for displaced Syrians to change the European Union’s approach to the displacement issue,” Minister Bou Habib asserted.

He added: “We welcomed France’s decision and thanked my French counterpart for his country’s vote in the Security Council to recognize Palestine as a member of the United Nations.”

Bou Habib expressed his optimism more than ever regarding the issues of the south and the refugees, noting that next Thursday, Lebanon will receive both the Cypriot President and the President of the European Commission Union, to discuss proposals for resolving the refugee issue, hoping that they will be positive.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Army Chief, General Joseph Aoun, received today at his Yarze office, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Séjourné, with a delegation including the Director of North Africa and the Middle East Affairs in the Central Department of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Anne Grillo, and French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro.

Discussions touched on the general conditions prevailing in Lebanon and the region and recent developments on the southern border.

Talks also emphasized the importance of supporting the army in view of its role in protecting Lebanon’s security and stability, and following up on the situation in the south in cooperation and coordination with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon – UNIFIL in accordance with Resolution # 1701.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bou Habib, received today his French counterpart, Stephane Séjourné.

An expanded meeting is currently being held between the Lebanese and French delegations, following talks between Bou Habib and Séjourné.

Upon entering the meeting room, Séjourné described the encounter with Bou Habib as “good” and said: ‘Things are going well, and we will discuss several points with the delegation, and France will always remain by Lebanon’s side.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, received today at Ain al-Tineh Palace, French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourné accompanied by French Ambassador Herve Magro, Director of North Africa and the Middle East in the French Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Anne Greux, and several advisors in the French Foreign Ministry.

Discussions focused on the general situation in Lebanon and the region and the political and field developments as a result of Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

Speaker Berri thanked France for its keenness and valuable role, and President Emmanuel Macron for his efforts to prevent the war on Lebanon. In this context, the Speaker was clear on Lebanon’s adherence to implementing UN Resolution # 1701 with all its provisions.

Berri also presented the facts of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, especially the southern border villages, through a map prepared by the National Council for Scientific Research showing the extent of the human and material losses inflicted on vill
ages and towns, as well as agricultural and forest lands and plains, and Israel’s use of internationally prohibited weapons and its violation of the rules of engagement.

The Speaker assured the French Minister that Lebanon is awaiting the French proposal to reduce the escalation, stop the fighting, and implement the UN resolution, in preparation for studying and responding to it.

Regarding the presidential dossier, Berri praised the efforts of the five-member states committee to reach, through consultation, the election of a Lebanese president.

He also raised the issue of the displaced Syrians, ‘which has become a burden on Lebanon and the Lebanese at various levels,’ revealing that he ‘will raise this matter with the President of the European Union Commission and the President of Cyprus during their visit to Lebanon this week,’ calling on France and Germany to ‘reconsider their relationship with Syria and towards this file.’

The French Foreign Minister made no statement following the meeting.

Source: N
ational News Agency – Lebanon

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdallah Bu Habib, confirmed this afternoon, after his meeting with Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani: ‘The success of the Manama Summit is a common Arab interest, and Lebanon bodes well…”

He added, “We aspire to develop further our bilateral relations for the benefit and good of our two brotherly peoples, and we also welcome Minister Al Zayani’s presence in Beirut.’

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Prime Minister Najib Mikati received today the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, who is currently on a one-day official visit to Lebanon, in the presence of Caretaker Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib.

Discussions focused on bilateral relations between Lebanon and Bahrain, the situation in the region, and the agenda of the upcoming Arab summit in Bahrain.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

House Speaker Nabih Berri is currently meeting in Ain al-Teeneh with French Foreign Minister Stephane Ségournet and the accompanying delegation.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon

Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, presided this morning over Sunday’s Mass service in the Church of Our Lady in Bkirki.

In his religious sermon, Al-Rahi urged Lebanese officials to restore life to institutions, starting with the election of a President of the Republic.

Al-Rai wished to spare southern Lebanon and the Lebanese from the war, which would cause casualties, injuries, displacement and destruction, for the sake of a cause that has nothing to do with Lebanon, its cause, peace and stability.

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon