In response to Israeli interpretations and deliberate attempts to portray Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji’s participation in the Conference of Neighboring Countries with the European Union as something other than what it truly was, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to clarify the following:
The Lebanese Foreign Minister did not meet with the Israeli Foreign Minister. He attended a broad session that included Arab foreign ministers from the Mediterranean region (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco). As for the ministers who did not attend, namely those of Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, they were represented by their ambassadors accredited in Belgium.
Lebanon has consistently participated in these meetings alongside Mediterranean countries since the launch of the Barcelona Process thirty years ago. Meetings like these are not limited to the European Union and Mediterranean countries; Lebanon also participates annually in the United Nations General Assembly, where Israel is also present.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Minister Rajji’s participation in the Brussels conference was coordinated with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
Finally, it is worth noting that Lebanon’s Foreign Minister chose to affirm Lebanon’s presence rather than shy away, raising his voice and that of Lebanon to clearly express opposition to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, calling on participating countries to pressure Israel to withdraw and to stop its repeated violations against Lebanon.
Among the statements Minister Raji made during the session:
"The ongoing occupation is a major obstacle to de-escalation in southern Lebanon. I call on the European Union to mobilize its diplomatic efforts to halt Israeli aggression and to support Lebanon’s right to full sovereignty. Any weakening of the Lebanese Army’s role would endanger regional stability."
The Lebanese Foreign Minister did not meet with the Israeli Foreign Minister. He attended a broad session that included Arab foreign ministers from the Mediterranean region (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco). As for the ministers who did not attend, namely those of Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, they were represented by their ambassadors accredited in Belgium.
Lebanon has consistently participated in these meetings alongside Mediterranean countries since the launch of the Barcelona Process thirty years ago. Meetings like these are not limited to the European Union and Mediterranean countries; Lebanon also participates annually in the United Nations General Assembly, where Israel is also present.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Minister Rajji’s participation in the Brussels conference was coordinated with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister.
Finally, it is worth noting that Lebanon’s Foreign Minister chose to affirm Lebanon’s presence rather than shy away, raising his voice and that of Lebanon to clearly express opposition to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, calling on participating countries to pressure Israel to withdraw and to stop its repeated violations against Lebanon.
Among the statements Minister Raji made during the session:
"The ongoing occupation is a major obstacle to de-escalation in southern Lebanon. I call on the European Union to mobilize its diplomatic efforts to halt Israeli aggression and to support Lebanon’s right to full sovereignty. Any weakening of the Lebanese Army’s role would endanger regional stability."
