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Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib, on Wednesday received in his office, the leader of ‘Unsubjugated France’ Jean-Luc Melenchon, at the head of a parliamentary delegation from the party.
During the meeting, Caretaker Minister Bou Habib expressed appreciation for ‘the French people’s solidarity with Lebanon in order to preserve its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.’
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Progressive Socialist Party Leader, Taymour Jumblatt, on Wednesday met in in Khaldeh with Lebanese Democratic Party Leader, Talal Arslan.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
In a special address to the World Economic Forum, UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, discussed critical global issues and the imperative for comprehensive reforms to address the challenges facing the world today.
Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome, the Secretary-General emphasized the pressing need to tackle the global crisis in trust, attributing it to a paradox confronting the world. Despite the severe threats posed by climate change and the unchecked development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), collective action appears elusive.
Highlighting the climate crisis, the Secretary-General noted that countries continue to escalate emissions, leading to a potential three-degree increase in global temperatures. The impact of climate breakdown is evident in the escalating incidents of droughts, storms, fires, and floods globally. Personal observations of receding Himalayan glaciers and the accelerated melting of the Antarctic ice sheet underscored the urgency of addressing climate change.
The Secreta
ry-General condemned the recent multi-million-dollar campaign by the U.S. fossil fuel industry to impede progress, reiterating the essential and inevitable nature of phasing out fossil fuels. Urgent action is needed to ensure a just and equitable transition to renewable energy.
Turning attention to AI, the Secretary-General acknowledged its potential for sustainable development but cautioned against its likely contribution to worsening global inequality. Some powerful tech companies are already prioritizing profits over human rights, personal privacy, and social impact, leading to increased risks.
Despite extensive discussions on climate change and AI, the Secretary-General lamented the absence of an effective global strategy to address these challenges, citing geopolitical divides as a major obstacle. The erosion of systems designed for predictability exacerbates the situation, as evidenced by nuclear re-armament and the disregard for international law in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza.
Addressing econom
ic challenges, the Secretary-General highlighted the exacerbation of inequality and injustice, leading to obstacles in sustainable development. The collapse of global norms erodes trust, with geopolitical divisions posing a major risk to the global economy.
Calling for deep reforms to global governance, the Secretary-General emphasized the need for inclusive, networked multilateralism to manage geopolitical complexities. Rebuilding trust, the Secretary-General stressed, requires a commitment to global reforms that reflect the realities of today’s world.
The Secretary-General outlined the United Nations’ efforts to bring global governance frameworks up to date, including a Summit of the Future in September. Proposed reforms cover global financial architecture, Security Council, and a New Agenda for Peace. A Global Digital Compact aims to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals and close the digital divide.
In conclusion, the Secretary-General acknowledged that rebuilding trust is a complex
process but emphasized its essential nature. Urging global influencers to prevent further damage, the Secretary-General expressed confidence in the possibility of steering the world towards safety, prosperity, and peace.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Minister of Industry, Georges Boujikian, on Wednesday met with a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Industry, Engineer Chantal Akl. The meeting focused on potential collaboration projects between the international organization and the Ministry of Industry.
The participants agreed to initiate industrial projects related to slaughterhouses, cardboard production, and automation. Subsequent meetings will be held for further follow-up.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
The Arab Parliament renewed its position in support for the one China principle, and its opposition to the so-called “Taiwan independence” and interference in the internal affairs of China, and backing its legitimate right to maintain its territorial integrity and full sovereignty over it, stressing that the principle of one China is well-established in Arab foreign policy, adding that the recent elections that took place in Taiwan shall not affect the one China principle emphasized constantly by the Arab Parliament in all relevant occasions, including the high-level official meetings held by the Arab Parliament’s delegation with Senior Officials during its recent visit to the People’s Republic of China last August.
The Arab Parliament reiterated its appreciation to the honorable stands of the People’s Republic of China in support of the Palestinian question, and commended the statements made by China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs during his recent tour to a number of Arab and Afri-can countries, in which h
e condemned the atrocity crimes committed by the occupying Power (Israel) against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, the Arab Parliament also praised China’s rejectionist stance to forced displacement schemes of the Palestinian people, as well as its rejection of attempts to eliminate the Palestinian question.
The Arab Parliament underlined that the People’s Republic of China is a friendly country linked to the Arab States with strong strategic relations at all levels, besides cultural and civilizational commonalities between the Arab and Chinese peoples, and the Arab Parliament reiterated its keenness to enhance and develop these relations notably at the parliamentary level through the growing relations between the Arab Parliament and the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (Parliament of the People’s Republic of China).
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Lebanese Forces” party leader, Samir Geagea, on Wednesday discussed the latest political developments in the country and the region with the newly appointed Argentinian Ambassador to Lebanon, Maria Virginia Ruiz Quintar, who paid him an acquaintance visit in Maarab.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Acting Director General of General Security, Brigadier General Elias Baissari, on Wednesday received in his office, Head of Cyprus’ Intelligence Service, Tasos Tzionis, accompanied by the National Security Advisor.
Discussions reportedly touched on the maritime border dossier and illegal immigration.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Wednesday received, at his Yarzeh office, the new U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa A. Johnson, who came on an acquaintance visit upon assuming her new diplomatic mission in the country.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, on Wednesday pursued his Arab and international diplomatic meetings and encounters on the sidelines of his participation in the 54th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2024, in Davos, Switzerland.
During these meetings, Premier Mikati stressed ‘the priority of working to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and delivering humanitarian aid into the Strip as a prelude to resuming a peaceful solution through recognition of the Palestinian right to live in a safe homeland.’
The Prime Minister also called on “influential countries to exert pressure on Israel to stop its aggressions against southern Lebanon and its continued violations of Lebanese sovereignty.”
Mikati reiterated “Lebanon’s commitment to the provisions of International Resolution 1701 and other international resolutions,” calling for “exerting pressure on Israel to fully implement the resolution and return to commitment to all international resolutions since the Armistice Agreement signed in 1949.”
In this
context, PM Mikati met with the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Mikati also had audience with the President of the Republic of Armenia, Vahagn Khachaturian.
Mikati also held meetings respectively with the Prime Minister of Jordan Bisher al-Khasawneh, the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the Prime Minister of Tunisia, Ahmed Hachani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Anwaar ul-Haq Kakar, and the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte.
Premier Mikati also met respectively with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albarez, and Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Bukhari, on Wednesday welcomed at his Yarzeh residence, the French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro.
Ambassador Bukhari also met with Member of the “Strong Republic” parliamentary bloc, MP Ziad Al-Hawat.
The meeting between both men reportedly touched on the overall current political developments on the Lebanese and regional arenas, especially the Lebanese presidential file.
Ambassador Bukhari also received the Head of Audit Bureau in Lebanon, Judge Mohammed Badran.
During the meeting, the pair exchanged views on current issues, with an emphasis on strengthening ways of cooperation and coordination between the concerned authorities in Lebanon and the Kingdom for the welfare of the two brotherly countries.
The KSA Ambassador later received Director of the Antonine Technical Institute, Father Charles Bou Abboud, with an accompanying delegation.
Discussions during the meeting reportedly touched on the activities carried out by the Institute in highlighting cultural and
heritage diversity in Lebanon, in addition to the preparations for the meeting that the Institute will call for next February 1 on the occasion of the launch of the humanitarian document.
Among Ambassador Bukhari’s itinerant visitors for today had been Chairman of the Christian-Islamic Dialogue Committee of the Middle East Council of Churches, Bishop Charles Murad, who handed the Ambassador an invitation to attend the celebration of the ‘Document on Human Fraternity,’ which will be held on February 3.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Catholicos of Armenian Catholic House of Cilicia, Patriarch Raphael Bedros XXI Minassian, on Tuesday met with Caretaker Minister of Industry, MP George Boushkian, and MP Jean Talouzian, at the Patriarchate’s headquarters in Beirut’s Ashrafieh.
During the meeting, the general situation in Lebanon and the Middle East as well as the Armenian and Christian presence in the region, were discussed.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Lebanese Army Commander, General Joseph Aoun, on Tuesday received at his Yarzeh office, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka.
Discussions reportedly touched on the general situation in Lebanon and developments along the southern border.
Maj. Gen. Aoun also met respectively with Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa, and then National Security Advisor and Cypriot Intelligence Service chief Tasos Tzionis. Discussions touched on various issues.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon