Lebanese PM Praises France's Support for Lebanon in Asserting State Authority Over Its Territory
Lebanese Prime Minister meets French delegation to discuss support for sovereignty, international arrangements, and economic reforms
Translated by Qiyas from كونا — Original source
Beirut, October 18 (KUNA) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam today Sunday praised France’s continued support for Lebanon and “its efforts to achieve the complete withdrawal of the Israeli occupation from its territories and to extend the authority of the state over all its lands by its own forces alone.”
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s media office said Salam’s remarks came during his meeting with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barro and the Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces, Alice Réveillon, who led an accompanying delegation, in the presence of the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Patrick Doriol, as well as Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salame, who participated in the meeting.
Salam emphasized the importance of supporting the Lebanese state in the path of return, recovery, and reconstruction in the south, which would contribute to stabilizing residents in their homeland, restoring basic services, and strengthening the presence of state institutions.
The statement noted that the meeting discussed international arrangements for the post-United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) phase, with Salam stressing “the necessity of avoiding any vacuum in the south and ensuring the continuation of an international presence carrying out monitoring, reporting, and liaison tasks under the umbrella of a resolution issued by the UN Security Council.”
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of continuing to support the Lebanese Armed Forces and enhancing their capabilities to enable them to carry out their duties in extending state authority over all its territories.
The meeting also addressed economic matters and the path of financial and economic reforms being implemented by the Lebanese government, as well as the importance of reaching an agreement with the International Monetary Fund to help restore confidence in the Lebanese economy and support the recovery process.
The statement quoted French Minister Barro as reaffirming France’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, and its readiness to continue backing the Lebanese state and the army, and to contribute to shaping international arrangements for the post-UNIFIL phase and supporting efforts at reform, recovery, and reconstruction.
The French delegation is expected to subsequently meet with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. (End) A.Y.B./N.S.A.
