Beirut: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met today with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Ms. Kaja Kallas. During the meeting, Kallas expressed her appreciation for the work being done by the Lebanese government, whereby she was briefed by PM Salam on the progress made in regards to economic, financial, and administrative reforms. Talks also touched on the progress reached thus far in implementing the decision to restrict weapons and extend the authority of the state over all its territory, particularly the role played by the Lebanese army in this context.
According to National News Agency – Lebanon, Salam emphasized herein the urgent need to support the Lebanese army to enable it to fulfill its duties. He also stressed the importance of the European Union’s diplomatic role in supporting Lebanon and exerting the necessary pressure on Israel to halt its attacks and withdraw from the areas it still occupies.
The Prime Minister presented to Kallas Lebanon’s vision for the period following the end of UNIFIL’s mission, highlighting Lebanon’s need for an international force, even if limited in size, to fill any potential vacuum and contribute to maintaining stability in the south.