German Solidarity and Support for Lebanon.. Radwan: We See Progress in Reform Path Despite Extraordinary Challenges

Beirut – Mansour Shaaban: President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to “diplomatic and negotiated solutions for resolving conflicts,” noting that “lasting stability cannot be achieved through military force alone.” He emphasized that “the state and the army are prepared to address any security concerns through official mechanisms and established coordination, rather than resorting to military operations.”

During a meeting with Rym Abou Radouane, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, who led a delegation including German Ambassador Thomas Tsanas and several other German officials, President Aoun called for “strengthening European support for the Lebanese army” and stressed the importance of “gradually transitioning from emergency aid to building a sustainable economic and developmental partnership.” He underscored “the significance of the European role in supporting efforts to consolidate stability in Lebanon and the region.”

He stated, “Lebanon is making continuous efforts to maintain its internal stability and preserve the cohesion of its institutions amid surrounding tensions, and it remains committed to diplomatic and negotiated solutions for resolving conflicts, based on the conviction that wars have not achieved their intended objectives.”

Regarding the south, President Aoun affirmed “the necessity of halting Israeli aggression and adhering to existing understandings,” pointing out that “the continuation of military operations and targeting civilian areas and infrastructure exacerbates the suffering of the population and undermines efforts to achieve stability.” He noted that “Lebanon has raised four key files in communications and negotiations: a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, border demarcation, and the prisoners’ file, but the required progress has not yet been achieved.”

For her part, the German minister confirmed that her visit comes “as an expression of the German government’s solidarity and support for Lebanon amid the difficult circumstances it is experiencing,” emphasizing “her country’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Lebanese government and keeping pace with its reform and developmental efforts.” She added that Berlin “is closely following developments in Lebanon and perceives progress in the reform process despite exceptional challenges,” reaffirming “Germany’s readiness to continue supporting Lebanon and its institutions, and to work on new cooperation projects in several sectors.”

The German minister also met with Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, during which they discussed the general situation in Lebanon and the region, as well as recent field developments resulting from Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon, its systematic destruction of Lebanese villages and towns in the south, and its non-compliance with international legitimacy resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 1701, as well as with agreements reached in 2024 and, more recently, the Framework Agreement, both under US sponsorship. President Berri warned of “the danger of ending the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in southern Lebanon before the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and the complete end of the Israeli occupation,” and stressed “the necessity of enhancing the partnership between Lebanon and the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, and of continuing to provide support to the Lebanese army.”