BOU HABIB MEETS IN CANADA WITH HIS CANADIAN COUNTERPART, INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION SECRETARY GENERAL

During his official visit to Canada, Caretaker Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib, met with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, 'as part of joint efforts to strengthen the bilateral relations and discuss the repercussions of the war on Gaza and Lebanon.' Caretaker Minister Bou Habib thanked the Canadian Minister for her visit to Lebanon last May, and expressed his appreciation for Canada's support to Lebanon, stressing 'the importance of strengthening this cooperation in these difficult times that the region and Lebanon are going through.' Bou Habib also stressed the urgent need to support UNIFIL forces, fully implement Security Council Resolution No. 1701 (2006), and support the Lebanese Army. The Minister also asked Canada to "use its leverage and relations with influential countries to reach a ceasefire in southern Lebanon and prevent the war from expanding." During the meeting, discussions also touched on the vital role that Canada plays within the G7, whereby Ministe r Bou Habib called on Canada to 'use its influence to reduce tension in the region and prevent the outbreak of an all-out war, and then to work on a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian cause on the basis of the two-state solution and relevant Security Council resolutions as well as the Arab Peace Initiative.' In turn, Minister Joly affirmed Canada's "commitment to supporting stability in Lebanon and the region, and working with international partners to achieve this goal." Moreover, Minister Bou Habib met with the Secretary General of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Juan Carlos Salazar, at the organization's headquarters in Montreal, 'with the aim of strengthening the Lebanese government's cooperation with international organizations and ensuring Lebanon's commitment to international safety standards in the field of aviation.' Discussions reportedly touched on the means of enhancing cooperation between Lebanon and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in the areas of safety, security and training. Bou Habib confirmed that "Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut adheres to all international safety standards and is free of any smuggling activities." He presented "Israeli violations of Lebanese airspace, especially over Rafic Hariri International Airport, in addition to its interference with air navigation systems that endanger the safety of international aviation." Bou Habib also stressed that "the information published by the British newspaper The Telegraph about Beirut Airport is absolutely incorrect," pointing out 'the keenness of the Lebanese state and all its agencies to adhere to the application of international laws, regulations and standards related to the safety of airports and air navigation.' The Minister also stressed "the importance of continued cooperation with ICAO to ensure the application of the latest international standards in the field of aviation, and to strengthen national capabilities in the field of supervision and inspection." He pointe d out that "Lebanon aims to improve its aviation infrastructure and develop its technical capabilities in line with international best practices." In this framework, and on behalf of the Lebanese government, Bou Habib thanked ICAO for all the services and expertise provided by the International Organization to the Lebanese Civil Aviation. For his part, ICAO Secretary-General hailed the efforts made by Lebanon in the field of civil aviation, praising its commitment to international standards and its continued cooperation with the organization. He also expressed "ICAO's readiness to provide technical support and advisory to Lebanon to enhance aviation security and safety in the country." Source: National news agency - Lebanon