The caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati met with the caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Abdullah Bou Habib this morning at the Grand Serail. After the meeting, Bou Habib stated: "I met with the President today and informed him about the results of my visit to Egypt, which expressed unconditional support for Lebanon and emphasized the need to end the war in Lebanon. This is obviously linked to the war in Gaza, but what matters most to us is peace in Lebanon. We also discussed the file concerning the extension of UNIFIL after we received the first draft, which we agreed on with minor changes. We hope the extension will be completed this month, and we reach a new extension for UNIFIL for another year. Additionally, we will send a message to the ambassadors today, outlining the state's basic principles regarding foreign policy in relation to the ongoing events in Gaza and southern Lebanon specifically."
He continued: "As you know, there is a U.S.-Egyptian-Qatari initiative to hold a meeting on the fifteenth of this month to cease fire in Gaza. In this context, following the meeting with the President, I state that the Lebanese government supports the joint statement issued by U.S. President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. It is crucial to provide immediate relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza and to the hostages and their families who have endured immense suffering. The efforts made by the three leaders and their respective countries to establish a "framework agreement" deserve commendation. The Lebanese government appreciates the importance of ending the ceasefire agreement and releasing hostages and detainees based on the principles set by President Biden as confirmed by the UN Security Council resolution numbered 2735."
Bou Habib added: "The Lebanese government believes that there is no room for further delay and urges all concerned parties to expedite the release of hostages, initiate a ceasefire, and implement the agreement without hesitation. The Lebanese government also intends to support and present a new proposal to continue implementing the other provisions in a way that satisfies all concerned parties." He concluded: "It is time to act decisively and fulfill our commitments to establish peace and assist individuals in need who are affected by the current events, and to restore calm to the region."
