Minister of Foreign Affairs Youssef Raggi has met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in the presence of Lebanon’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr. Fadi Assaf.
The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, addressed the situation in Lebanon, developments in the region, efforts to reduce tensions, the track of negotiations, and the dispalced Syrians' dossier.
Minister Raggi thanked the Holy See for its support for Lebanon, its sovereignty and unity, as well as for the humanitarian aid provided to the Lebanese people.
Raggi also stressed the need to halt the Israeli attacks and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, to allow normal life to return to the affected areas.
For his part, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed "the Holy See’s commitment to preserving Lebanon’s message of pluralism and coexistence, safeguarding the Christian presence in the East, and promoting dialogue and national unity among the Lebanese."
Emphasis was also made on the importance of supporting Lebanese state institutions and enabling them to extend their authority across the entire Lebanese territory, and on strengthening the role of the Lebanese Army in maintaining security and stability, so that arms and decisions of war and peace remain solely in the hands of the state in accordance with the Constitution and relevant international resolutions.
The meeting, which lasted for more than an hour, addressed the situation in Lebanon, developments in the region, efforts to reduce tensions, the track of negotiations, and the dispalced Syrians' dossier.
Minister Raggi thanked the Holy See for its support for Lebanon, its sovereignty and unity, as well as for the humanitarian aid provided to the Lebanese people.
Raggi also stressed the need to halt the Israeli attacks and withdraw from occupied Lebanese territory, to allow normal life to return to the affected areas.
For his part, Cardinal Parolin reaffirmed "the Holy See’s commitment to preserving Lebanon’s message of pluralism and coexistence, safeguarding the Christian presence in the East, and promoting dialogue and national unity among the Lebanese."
Emphasis was also made on the importance of supporting Lebanese state institutions and enabling them to extend their authority across the entire Lebanese territory, and on strengthening the role of the Lebanese Army in maintaining security and stability, so that arms and decisions of war and peace remain solely in the hands of the state in accordance with the Constitution and relevant international resolutions.
