NNA - Speaker of the House, Nabih Berri, received today at Ain al-Tineh Palace, French Foreign Minister Stephane Séjourné accompanied by French Ambassador Herve Magro, Director of North Africa and the Middle East in the French Foreign Ministry, Ambassador Anne Greux, and several advisors in the French Foreign Ministry.
Discussions focused on the general situation in Lebanon and the region and the political and field developments as a result of Israel’s continued aggression against Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.
Speaker Berri thanked France for its keenness and valuable role, and President Emmanuel Macron for his efforts to prevent the war on Lebanon. In this context, the Speaker was clear on Lebanon’s adherence to implementing UN Resolution # 1701 with all its provisions.
Berri also presented the facts of the Israeli attacks on Lebanon, especially the southern border villages, through a map prepared by the National Council for Scientific Research showing the extent of the human and material losses inflicted on villages and towns, as well as agricultural and forest lands and plains, and Israel’s use of internationally prohibited weapons and its violation of the rules of engagement.
The Speaker assured the French Minister that Lebanon is awaiting the French proposal to reduce the escalation, stop the fighting, and implement the UN resolution, in preparation for studying and responding to it.
Regarding the presidential dossier, Berri praised the efforts of the five-member states committee to reach, through consultation, the election of a Lebanese president.
He also raised the issue of the displaced Syrians, “which has become a burden on Lebanon and the Lebanese at various levels,” revealing that he “will raise this matter with the President of the European Union Commission and the President of Cyprus during their visit to Lebanon this week,” calling on France and Germany to “reconsider their relationship with Syria and towards this file.”
The French Foreign Minister made no statement following the meeting.
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