Today, Friday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Bou Habib received the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Fronczak. They reviewed the atmosphere surrounding the renewal of UNIFIL in the Security Council this year. The Special Coordinator welcomed the Foreign Minister's personal trip to New York to be involved in the renewal process and his direct meetings with Security Council members and the UN Secretary-General, highlighting its importance in explaining Lebanon's perspective.
Bou Habib and Fronczak emphasized "the importance of continued coordination between UNIFIL and the Lebanese authorities, as outlined in the new resolution adopted by the Security Council, and in accordance with the SOFA agreement. This is clearly evident in the field in the south, due to the ongoing and effective coordination between both parties." They also discussed the importance of working to find solutions for the remaining land border points to enhance stability in the south and preserve Lebanon's rights.
Fronczak pointed out that "the adoption of resolution 2695 in the Security Council regarding the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate should represent an opportunity for all parties to reaffirm their commitment to maintaining stability in southern Lebanon and along the Blue Line." She specifically emphasized the importance of working "toward the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 (2006)," adding: "It is essential to move towards a permanent ceasefire and a long-term solution to the conflict in accordance with resolution 1701. To achieve this goal, the UN Special Coordinator's office in Lebanon is supporting the Lebanese state and making efforts through the UN Secretary-General to achieve peace and security in the region."
Fronczak also stressed "the necessity of electing a new president for the republic and finding ways to overcome the current political stalemate." In her upcoming round of meetings, the Special Coordinator will urge the concerned parties to adopt a constructive approach to facilitate reaching a solution.
### Lebanese-Kuwaiti Business Council
Bou Habib also met with a delegation from the Lebanese-Kuwaiti Business Council led by Ali Khalil, accompanied by the Director General of Emigrants Hadi Hashim. The delegation presented the council's activities in Kuwait and Lebanon and its work program for the next year, 2024.
Minister Bou Habib welcomed the delegation and thanked them for their efforts, especially their assistance to Lebanese individuals in Kuwait during the COVID pandemic, as well as their support for the Lebanese embassy.
