Washington:Lebanon's Ambassador to the United States, Nada Hamadeh Moawad, hosted a dinner at the Lebanese Ambassador's Residence in Washington to honor Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam and his spouse, Ambassador Sahar Baassiri Salam. The event was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi, Minister of Finance Yassine Jaber, Minister of Energy Joe Saddi, senior U.S. officials, diplomats, and representatives of international financial institutions.
According to National news agency - Lebanon, notable attendees included U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, Deputy National Security Advisors Michael Needham and Joseph Cutler, and Deputy Secretary of Energy James Danly, among others. The gathering also saw the presence of Saudi Special Envoy to Lebanon Prince Yazeed bin Farhan and ambassadors from the UAE, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq, and Syria.
During the event, Ambassador Hamadeh Moawad highlighted the significance of Prime Minister Salam's visit to Washington, emphasizing the importance of Lebanon's partnership with the United States and international financial institutions. She noted the urgent need for economic and financial reforms and expressed confidence that the visit would bolster Lebanon's international relationships and support the country's economic recovery.
Prime Minister Salam addressed the gathering, stating that Lebanon has chosen reform over past practices that led to economic collapse, and diplomacy over conflict to secure lasting peace and security. He emphasized the need for cooperation with the United States to solidify Lebanon's choices into a sustainable reality.
Salam spoke about the long-standing relationship between Lebanon and the United States, rooted in shared values such as freedom of expression and political pluralism. He acknowledged the existential challenges facing Lebanon and outlined the government's dual focus on sovereignty and reform, including recent legislative amendments to financial laws.
Salam stressed the importance of a robust financial system for Lebanon's sovereignty and the state's monopoly over arms, extending across the country. He described efforts to reassert state authority at strategic points like Beirut airport and the Syrian border.
Addressing the consequences of recent conflicts, Salam underscored the urgent need for rebuilding infrastructure and restoring public services to gain legitimacy and support from local communities. He reiterated the significance of the trilateral framework, which aims to restore Lebanese sovereignty through diplomatic negotiations and American leadership.
Salam concluded by urging international partners to support Lebanon's rebuilding efforts and emphasized the necessity for the trilateral framework to produce tangible results rather than merely managing ongoing conflicts.
