Bou Habib holds diplomatic meetings over UNIFIL mandate extension issue, meets diplomats

Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib, on Monday met with the Ambassadors of France, China, Spain, and Italy, and the Chargés d'affaires of the Russian and British embassies, as part of his follow-up of the UNIFIL mandate extension process, which ends on August 31, 2024. Talks focused on the ongoing negotiations at the Security Council regarding the extension of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate for another year. Minister Bou Habib also discussed in a phone call with the US Ambassador to Lebanon the latest developments concerning the extension of UNIFIL's mandate. Bou Habib reiterated Lebanon's firm position to extend UNIFIL's mandate for another year, without introducing any amendments to the extension decision. Minister Bou Habib also received the Ambassador of Cyprus to Lebanon, with whom he discussed the latest security developments in Lebanon and the broader region. Discussions also touched on the ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire i n Gaza, in addition to the UNIFIL's mandate extension issue. Source: National News Agency - Lebanon