President Joseph Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to diplomatic negotiations as the preferred means of resolving conflicts, stressing that lasting stability cannot be achieved through military force alone.
His remarks came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, who headed a delegation including German Ambassador to Lebanon Thomas Zahneisen and several German officials.
Discussions focused on developments in Lebanon and the region, bilateral relations, economic reforms, development cooperation and prospects for strengthening German support for Lebanese institutions.
Aoun emphasized the need to halt Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and uphold existing agreements, warning that continued military operations and the destruction of civilian infrastructure were undermining efforts to restore stability.
He noted that Lebanon had raised four principal issues during negotiations: a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, border demarcation and the release of prisoners. However, he said the required progress had yet to materialize.
The President stressed that the Lebanese state and army were prepared to address security concerns through established official mechanisms and coordination rather than military operations.
He also called for increased European support for the Lebanese Army, highlighting its responsibilities in maintaining domestic security, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, securing borders and addressing irregular migration.
Aoun described support for Lebanon’s military and security institutions as a direct investment in regional stability, with positive implications for European security.
Turning to economic affairs, the President reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to financial and structural reforms in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and international financial institutions.
He expressed hope that Germany would contribute to international reconstruction initiatives, particularly those developed under World Bank leadership in coordination with the Lebanese government.
Aoun also emphasized the importance of gradually shifting from emergency assistance toward sustainable economic and development partnerships, encouraging German private-sector investment in Lebanon’s productive sectors and infrastructure.
For her part, Alabali-Radovan reaffirmed Germany’s solidarity with Lebanon and its commitment to supporting the government’s reform and development efforts.
She welcomed progress in implementing reforms despite exceptional challenges and expressed Germany’s readiness to expand cooperation with Lebanese ministries and public institutions.
Speaking after the meeting, the German minister said her visit came at a decisive moment for Lebanon, following months of conflict, widespread destruction and continued internal displacement.
She stressed that Germany supported Lebanon’s reform agenda, stronger state institutions and improved living conditions, particularly for communities most affected by the crisis.
Alabali-Radovan outlined three principal areas of German development cooperation.
The first focuses on strengthening state institutions and implementing reforms, including improved governance, transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures, particularly in the water, education and social protection sectors.
The second aims to promote economic growth and expand opportunities through vocational education, private-sector development and employment creation.
The third addresses the consequences of regional conflicts and ongoing crises, particularly in southern Lebanon, through infrastructure rehabilitation, restoration of essential services and support for affected municipalities.
The minister emphasized that Germany’s assistance was intended to strengthen the Lebanese state’s ability to deliver services and respond effectively to citizens’ needs.
She also highlighted the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and reliable public services as prerequisites for sustainable peace.
Responding to questions, Alabali-Radovan described her talks with President Aoun as constructive, noting that Germany recognized progress in Lebanon’s reform efforts and would continue supporting the government.
She cited a reduction in the number of internally displaced people from more than one million to approximately 200,000 as significant progress.
Addressing Germany’s regional role, she said Berlin and its European partners sought to remain reliable partners in crisis response, economic recovery and social development.
Asked about the possibility of Germany participating in a European force to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Alabali-Radovan recalled Germany’s longstanding contribution to the peacekeeping mission.
She noted that decisions concerning UNIFIL’s future rested with the relevant international authorities, particularly the UN Security Council, while stressing that a security vacuum must be avoided.
The minister reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army, describing it as a cornerstone of the country’s stability.
On Israeli attacks against Lebanon, she said the German government had raised the issue directly with Israeli authorities, particularly following strikes on Beirut, and would continue doing so.
Alabali-Radovan concluded by reaffirming Germany’s commitment to standing alongside Lebanon, emphasizing that the country’s stability, reform and recovery were important not only to its people but also to the wider region and Europe.
His remarks came during a meeting at Baabda Palace with Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Reem Alabali-Radovan, who headed a delegation including German Ambassador to Lebanon Thomas Zahneisen and several German officials.
Discussions focused on developments in Lebanon and the region, bilateral relations, economic reforms, development cooperation and prospects for strengthening German support for Lebanese institutions.
Aoun emphasized the need to halt Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon and uphold existing agreements, warning that continued military operations and the destruction of civilian infrastructure were undermining efforts to restore stability.
He noted that Lebanon had raised four principal issues during negotiations: a ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal, border demarcation and the release of prisoners. However, he said the required progress had yet to materialize.
The President stressed that the Lebanese state and army were prepared to address security concerns through established official mechanisms and coordination rather than military operations.
He also called for increased European support for the Lebanese Army, highlighting its responsibilities in maintaining domestic security, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, securing borders and addressing irregular migration.
Aoun described support for Lebanon’s military and security institutions as a direct investment in regional stability, with positive implications for European security.
Turning to economic affairs, the President reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to financial and structural reforms in cooperation with the International Monetary Fund and international financial institutions.
He expressed hope that Germany would contribute to international reconstruction initiatives, particularly those developed under World Bank leadership in coordination with the Lebanese government.
Aoun also emphasized the importance of gradually shifting from emergency assistance toward sustainable economic and development partnerships, encouraging German private-sector investment in Lebanon’s productive sectors and infrastructure.
For her part, Alabali-Radovan reaffirmed Germany’s solidarity with Lebanon and its commitment to supporting the government’s reform and development efforts.
She welcomed progress in implementing reforms despite exceptional challenges and expressed Germany’s readiness to expand cooperation with Lebanese ministries and public institutions.
Speaking after the meeting, the German minister said her visit came at a decisive moment for Lebanon, following months of conflict, widespread destruction and continued internal displacement.
She stressed that Germany supported Lebanon’s reform agenda, stronger state institutions and improved living conditions, particularly for communities most affected by the crisis.
Alabali-Radovan outlined three principal areas of German development cooperation.
The first focuses on strengthening state institutions and implementing reforms, including improved governance, transparency, accountability and anti-corruption measures, particularly in the water, education and social protection sectors.
The second aims to promote economic growth and expand opportunities through vocational education, private-sector development and employment creation.
The third addresses the consequences of regional conflicts and ongoing crises, particularly in southern Lebanon, through infrastructure rehabilitation, restoration of essential services and support for affected municipalities.
The minister emphasized that Germany’s assistance was intended to strengthen the Lebanese state’s ability to deliver services and respond effectively to citizens’ needs.
She also highlighted the importance of sovereignty, territorial integrity and reliable public services as prerequisites for sustainable peace.
Responding to questions, Alabali-Radovan described her talks with President Aoun as constructive, noting that Germany recognized progress in Lebanon’s reform efforts and would continue supporting the government.
She cited a reduction in the number of internally displaced people from more than one million to approximately 200,000 as significant progress.
Addressing Germany’s regional role, she said Berlin and its European partners sought to remain reliable partners in crisis response, economic recovery and social development.
Asked about the possibility of Germany participating in a European force to replace the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Alabali-Radovan recalled Germany’s longstanding contribution to the peacekeeping mission.
She noted that decisions concerning UNIFIL’s future rested with the relevant international authorities, particularly the UN Security Council, while stressing that a security vacuum must be avoided.
The minister reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting the Lebanese Army, describing it as a cornerstone of the country’s stability.
On Israeli attacks against Lebanon, she said the German government had raised the issue directly with Israeli authorities, particularly following strikes on Beirut, and would continue doing so.
Alabali-Radovan concluded by reaffirming Germany’s commitment to standing alongside Lebanon, emphasizing that the country’s stability, reform and recovery were important not only to its people but also to the wider region and Europe.
