During his meeting with Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, Manuel Albares Bueno, in the Grand Serail, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati highlighted the role "played by the Spanish battalion operating within the framework of international forces in southern Lebanon, UNIFIL." Mikati praised the efforts of the UNIFIL Commander, General Arouldo Latharo, reaffirming Lebanon's commitment to UN Resolution 1701, and thanked the Spanish government for prioritizing Lebanon in the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation's agenda, as well as for the development projects undertaken in Lebanon by the agency.
At the conclusion of the discussions, the Spanish minister spoke, stating: "I will be making an intensive tour here in Lebanon, starting with a meeting with Prime Minister Najib Mikati, to whom I extend my thanks. We discussed the regional and local situation, and I am responding to Mikati's invitation following our meeting in Davos with European Foreign Ministers." He pointed out that "Lebanon is at the heart of our discussions, and I will visit all countries in the region as we value the opinions of each of these nations. Spain is working for stability and peace in the Middle East, and we are cooperating with our friends."
The Spanish Foreign Minister added: "After Spain condemned the terrorist attack on Israel, we adopted a stance against terrorism and intensified our work for peace. We are also focusing on the two-state solution and the implementation of this solution by recognizing the State of Palestine. The suffering of the Palestinians in Gaza is unbearable, and we cannot allow it to continue, nor can we witness more women and children suffering in this manner," he expressed.
He stated: "We proposed an urgent call for an international peace conference. Our country has called for a two-state solution and recognition of a viable and realistic State of Palestine, as the suffering of civilians in Gaza is intolerable, and we cannot continue to see more casualties and the suffering of families of detainees who must be released immediately. We call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and demand the unconditional release of all. The international conference is a Spanish proposal, and thus we will have a role in developing the peace plan presented by European Commissioner Josep Borrell at the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Lebanon is one of the key actors that Spain wishes to cooperate with."
