Beirut: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raggi, on Thursday received Spain's Ambassador to Lebanon Jesºs Santos Aguado, who delivered an official invitation for Lebanon to participate in the 10th Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean. The forum is scheduled to take place in Barcelona on 28-29 November at the level of foreign ministers. The meeting also covered regional developments and the situation in Lebanon.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, Raggi later met with Dr. Mourad Wahba, UN Under-Secretary-General and Acting Executive Secretary of ESCWA. Raggi welcomed the continued hosting of the organization's regional office in Beirut and expressed appreciation for Wahba's cooperation. Wahba reaffirmed ESCWA's commitment to Lebanon, stressing that rumors about the closure or downsizing of its Beirut offices are 'entirely unfounded.'
The minister also held talks with Nicolas von Arx, ICRC Regional Director for the Middle East, in the presence of ICRC Lebanon Head of Delegation Agn¨s Dour. Raggi thanked the ICRC for its work and sacrifices across Lebanon, particularly in the south.
Von Arx briefed the minister on his recent field visit with a delegation of 14 donor-state representatives aimed at exploring ways to increase support for Lebanon. He also outlined the global initiative to strengthen political commitment to international humanitarian law, which has been joined by 92 countries, and expressed hope that Lebanon would play an active role in the effort.