On the sidelines of Brussels Conference on Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region, Caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, held a series of meetings with key international figures.
Bou Habib met with Norwegian Foreign Minister, Espen Barth Eide, whom he thanked for Norway’s stance on the Gaza conflict and its recognition of the Palestinian state.
The Foreign Minister also emphasized the importance of planning for post-conflict scenarios and reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to fully implementing UN Resolution 1701 to achieve sustainable stability in southern Lebanon.
Additionally, Bou Habib briefed Eide on the Syrian refugee crisis, outlining Lebanon’s vision for a solution through either the safe and dignified return of refugees to Syria or resettlement in third countries.
Bou Habib then met with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein. Talks between the pair reportedly focused on the Syrian refugee situation in both Iraq and Lebanon. He called for encouraging the Arab
Quintet Committee at the ministerial level to align with international efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis.
The Foreign Minister also had an audience with European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic, to whom he presented Lebanon’s perspective on solving the Syrian refugee crisis and its disastrous impact on Lebanon. He stressed the urgent need for early recovery projects to incentivize Syrian refugees to return home and to rebuild Syria.
Bou Habib separately met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, with whom he had a candid discussion, expressing Lebanon’s official and popular concerns and observations regarding UNHCR’s operations. He advocated for cooperation rather than confrontation, for the benefit of all parties.
In turn, Grandi acknowledged Lebanon’s unique situation and agreed to enhance coordination between UNHCR and the committee managing the refugee file, focusing on early recovery projects in Syria to encourage voluntary returns.
For his part, Bou Habib reaffi
rmed Lebanon’s adherence to the principles and purposes of the United Nations, noting that the Lebanese delegation had submitted its national approach for managing the Syrian refugee crisis to the European Commission.
The Foreign Minister also met with EU High Representative and Vice-President, Josep Borrell. Discussions between both men covered the current situation in Gaza, the challenges posed by displacement, and the Syrian file.
Bou Habib later met with Slovenian Foreign Minister, Tanja Fajon, who informed him about Slovenia’s intention to recognize the Palestinian state.
In turn, the Foreign Minister thanked her for Slovenia’s constructive role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, upholding international law. He highlighted the importance of UNIFIL’s work in maintaining stability in southern Lebanon for 17 years before the onset of the Gaza conflict.
Bou Habib finally met with Belgian Foreign Minister, Hadja Lahbib. The two ministers exchanged views on the implementation of the two-
state solution, achieving stability in southern Lebanon, and addressing the Syrian refugee issue, which poses an existential threat to Lebanon.
Minister Bou Habib concluded his visit to Belgium and will proceed to Paris this afternoon to meet with his French counterpart, Stéphane Séjourné.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon