The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in the caretaker government, Abdullah Bou Habib, received the Dutch Foreign Minister, Wopke Hoekstra, today, Monday, and they discussed the current situations and developments. After the meeting, Bou Habib welcomed the minister and the Netherlands, which has supported and provided a lot to Lebanon, especially after the port explosion, where many lives were lost in the Beirut blast.
The Dutch minister then delivered a speech, stating that it was her first visit to Lebanon: "Although we have spoken several times before my arrival, my presence here allowed us to address many topics." She continued: "The Netherlands is committed to its relationship with Lebanon. We talked about the importance of stability in the Middle East and discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. We want to resolve the crisis and reach a swift agreement regarding the current negotiations, leading to a ceasefire and the return of prisoners, which should serve as a basis for a lasting peace."
Minister Hoekstra added: "We also discussed the importance of immediately halting the deterioration of the situation at the southern border of Lebanon between Israel and Lebanon. The Netherlands is concerned about the escalation of the conflict and regrets the loss of civilian lives as it has negative repercussions on Lebanon and the region. It is crucial to avoid widening the scope of violence. We call for a diplomatic solution and count on France's efforts, but Lebanon also plays a role and must adopt Resolution 1701 as a foundation for lasting peace. We urge both sides, including Hezbollah, to contribute to implementing Resolution 1701 through field action and support for the Lebanese army."
She further stated: "I have great respect for Lebanon, despite the considerable burden it bears in hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees, and I understand that this greatly affects Lebanon and its people. The Netherlands supports the Lebanese army, which works to establish stability, as well as the rebuilding of the private sector in Lebanon, which contributes to the country's development in cooperation with the European Union. The Netherlands has allocated an amount of 140 million euros for the next four years."
The Dutch minister concluded: "As we open the new embassy building, we still demand answers regarding holding accountable those responsible for the port explosion."
