Beirut: Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi engaged in significant discussions on Thursday with a delegation from the Swedish Parliament, representing the Christian Democratic Party, and accompanied by MP George Okais. The talks centered on the latest developments in Lebanon and the broader region, highlighting the Lebanese government's priorities for the forthcoming phase and exploring avenues to enhance Lebanese-Swedish relations.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the discussions also emphasized the vital role of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in South Lebanon. Both parties stressed the importance of maintaining and renewing UNIFIL's mandate, which is anticipated to occur in August.
In a separate engagement, Minister Raggi held a farewell meeting with the Chinese Ambassador, Qian Minjian. During this meeting, Raggi expressed gratitude for Ambassador Minjian's efforts in bolstering Lebanese-Chinese relations throughout his tenure. The Foreign Minister conveyed hopes for ongoing cooperation and called on China to support the extension of UNIFIL's mandate. He also urged for the reinstatement of consular services at the Chinese Embassy in Beirut, which had been suspended amid the Israeli aggression.