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Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday received at his Yarzeh office, the President of the German Association of the Order of Malta Dr. Erich Prinz von Lobkowicz, who presented a donation in support of military medicine.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, on Wednesday welcomed in Bkirki, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bombardiere, who paid him a farewell visit upon winding her diplomatic mission in Lebanon.
Patriarch Rahi also received former MP Nematallah Abi Nasr, with whom he discussed the current situation on the internal scene.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Rahi, on Wednesday welcomed in Bkirki, Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bombardiere, who paid him a farewell visit upon winding her diplomatic mission in Lebanon.
Patriarch Rahi also received former MP Nematallah Abi Nasr, with whom he discussed the current situation on the internal scene.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
In a special ceremony, Caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, and Caretaker Tourism Minister, Walid Nassar, welcomed beauty queen Yasmina Zaytoun, who recently won the titles of Miss Asia and Oceania and reaped the first runner-up title in the Miss World beauty pageant. The event was attended by the Chairman of LBC Television, Sheikh Pierre Daher, the Foreign Ministry’s Secretary-General, Hani Al-Chamaa, and senior diplomats from the ministry.
Minister Bou Habib praised Zaytoun, stating that she was a diplomatic standout in her defense of Lebanon during her participation in the Miss World competition. ‘Since we have a just cause that we strive for and address, we say to her, ‘you are our ambassador to the world, and we are proud of you.’
Bou Habib then granted Zaytoun a diplomatic passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate her work and travels abroad. He also invited her to participate in a diplomatic training course.
Tourism Minister Walid Nassar, in turn, noted that “Yasmin
a has imposed new standards on the organizers and judges of the Miss World pageant through her distinctive culture, proving that beauty queens are not only judged by their appearance but also by their culture.”
For her part, Zaytoun thanked Minister Bou Habib for his initiative, expressing her pride in being able to “convey Lebanon’s voice to the world and show its beautiful image,” also thanking the Ministry of Tourism for its support.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday emphasized that Lebanon’s only choice for progress is through constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and embracing tolerance, particularly within diversity. He highlighted the importance of humanitarian values, such as those embodied by the Francophonie, in navigating ethical and moral challenges.
Mikati’s remarks came during a celebration marking the International Day of the Francophonie held at the Grand Serail.
“For us Lebanese, celebrating the Francophonie goes beyond our linguistic affiliation because, as former President Senghor said, ‘Francophonie is culture. It is a way of thinking and behaving. It is using the French language as a tool for coexistence, beyond our national or regional languages, to enhance our cultural and technical cooperation, despite the differences in our civilizations.’ These humanitarian principles of participation, solidarity, brotherhood, and justice are precisely what distinguish the cradle of French speakers, which we pr
oudly share without denying anything from our Lebanese identity,’ Mikati said.
“Lebanon, unique in its pluralism, which is a mosaic of political ideologies and religious sects, has no choice but to follow the path of constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and tolerance, which represents harmony within diversity. These principles have always guided my political action, and I am more attached to them at this moment of the multidimensional crisis that we must face with solidarity, cooperation, and calm. Unfortunately, in addition to this crisis, we are still victims of the Israeli aggression, which continues to violate the international law by targeting civilians and infrastructure, and persists in the deliberate destruction of natural and agricultural ecosystems,’ Mikati added.
“We, the Lebanese, are determined to live and never surrender. I would like to take this opportunity of our meeting to extend greetings to the first Lebanese French-speaking newspaper, ‘L’Orient-Le Jour,’ which launched its centenary c
elebrations in February. This newspaper has always defended, despite the winds and tides, a free, pluralistic, and sovereign Lebanon, always standing as a fierce defender of public freedoms and freedom of the press. To its entire family, and to all free and responsible media, warm congratulations,’ Mikati concluded.
In his speech, Levon Amirjanyan, Representative of the Francophonie Organization for the Middle East, highlighted Lebanon’s central role in promoting the French language and Francophonie values in the region, noting Lebanon’s contributions to building institutional Francophonie and showcasing linguistic diversity through its cultural diversity.
The Tunisian Ambassador to Lebanon and President of the Francophone Ambassadors Group in Lebanon, Burawi Al-Imam , expressed determination to work together as French-speaking ambassadors in coordination with our Lebanese friends for a stable, prosperous, and leading Lebanon in the region, hoping that Lebanon would quickly regain its role as a model countr
y for coexistence.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Baris Ulusoy, on Wednesday met with Omar Itani, the Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Beirut Port, with whom he discussed the port’s current conditions.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Turkish Ambassador to Lebanon, Ali Baris Ulusoy, on Wednesday met with Omar Itani, the Chairman of the Board and General Manager of Beirut Port, with whom he discussed the port’s current conditions.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is currently chairing a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.
Deputy Prime Minister Saadheh Shami and ministers are participating.
Also in attendance are the Director-General of the Presidency of the Republic, Dr. Antoine Choucair, and the cabinet’s Secretary-General, Judge Mahmoud Makieh.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the death toll from the Israeli war on the Strip had risen to 31,819 martyrs and 73,934 injured since 7 October 2023.
The ministry said that the Israeli occupation forces committed 9 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, of which 93 martyrs and 142 injured arrived at hospitals during the past 24 hours.
The ministry pointed out that there are still a number of victims under the rubble and on the roads, where ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them.
The Israeli occupation continues its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air for the 165th consecutive day, which has caused more human suffering to the residents of the Strip, especially during the holy month of Ramadan
Source: Oman News Agency
The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that the death toll from the Israeli war on the Strip had risen to 31,819 martyrs and 73,934 injured since 7 October 2023.
The ministry said that the Israeli occupation forces committed 9 massacres against families in the Gaza Strip, of which 93 martyrs and 142 injured arrived at hospitals during the past 24 hours.
The ministry pointed out that there are still a number of victims under the rubble and on the roads, where ambulance and civil defense crews cannot reach them.
The Israeli occupation continues its ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air for the 165th consecutive day, which has caused more human suffering to the residents of the Strip, especially during the holy month of Ramadan
Source: Oman News Agency
Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, Nicoletta Bombardiere, accompanied by Political Counselor Pietro Eynard, paid a farewell visit to Free Patriotic Movement leader, MP Gebran Bassil.
The two parties exchanged views on current issues.
For his part, MP Bassil reiterated his stance on the refugee issue and emphasized the need for the European Union to review its policies regarding this matter.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Abdullah Bou Habib, on Tuesday welcomed his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Luiz Iecker Vieira. Following the meeting, Bou Habib emphasized Brazil’s significance as a second home for Lebanese expatriates, especially in São Paulo, where Lebanese communities thrive and contribute significantly to various aspects of life, including politics and economics.
Expressing gratitude for Brazil’s stance on Gaza, Bou Habib welcomed Vieira’s visit, which bypassed Israel, as a significant message to the world. He condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and underscored the importance of supporting Palestinians through organizations like UNRWA until the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Moreover, Bou Habib reiterated Lebanon’s commitment to implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1701 regarding South Lebanon, emphasizing the need for Israel to return Lebanese territory and restore pre-1923 borders to ensure security and stability.
Vieira, in turn, highlighted Bra
zil’s historical support for Lebanon, including its peacekeeping contributions to UNIFIL. He reiterated Brazil’s commitment to stability along the Lebanese border and expressed support for a two-state solution in Gaza.
Both ministers discussed Brazil’s efforts during its presidency of the UN Security Council to broker ceasefire agreements and humanitarian aid for Gaza, lamenting the veto that hindered these initiatives despite broad international support.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka and United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix today briefed the Security Council on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006). The Security Council was meeting in closed consultations to discuss the latest report of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the implementation of the resolution.
Deeply concerned by the escalation in the exchanges of fire across, and increasingly beyond, the Blue Line, the Special Coordinator said these repeated violations of resolution 1701 increase the risks of miscalculation and further deterioration of an already critical situation.
‘With prevention and de-escalation at the top of our agenda, our collective focus, advocacy, and pressure must be foremost on urging the parties to restore the cessation of hostilities,’ the Special Coordinator told the Council, adding that there is still space for diplomacy to forge a solution to prevent a larger
conflagration.
The Special Coordinator regretted in particular the impact of the fighting on civilians. ‘I have reminded relevant stakeholders of all parties about their obligation to comply fully with international humanitarian and human rights law, namely to protect civilians.’
The Special Coordinator said the current situation puts in focus the dangers that the incomplete implementation of resolution 1701 poses to Lebanon, Israel and the stability of the region at large. ‘It is no longer enough to return to the relative calm and stability that prevailed prior to 8 October. A political process, anchored in the full implementation of Resolution 1701, to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure long-term stability has become necessary,’ she said.
Noting that major obligations under resolution 1701 have remained outstanding and require action by each party, the Special Coordinator said it is imperative to focus anew on the overarching objective of a permanent ceasefire and long-term solution to th
e conflict.
She underscored the critical role of an empowered and well-resourced Lebanese Armed Forces to the full implementation of Resolution 1701 and encouraged additional international support to enable the army to carry out its duties to the fullest, including its cooperation with UNIFIL.
She also reiterated the urgency of ending Lebanon’s presidential vacancy to enable the full functioning of the country’s state institutions in this time of crisis.
The Special Coordinator said the unity of the Security Council behind the efforts to maintain Lebanon’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political stability was also critical.
In conclusion, the Special Coordinator reiterated the commitment of the United Nations to continue standing by Lebanon and its people.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon