Rajji: “The Lebanese state alone negotiates on behalf of Lebanon”... and Falconer: A historic opportunity that must be seized

Foreign Minister and Minister of Emigrants Youssef Rajji received British Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer in an expanded meeting devoted to discussing the latest developments in Lebanon, in addition to the course of the anticipated negotiations between Lebanon and Israel.

Falconer pointed to his country’s support for this process, describing it as “the right decision,” and stressed “the importance of reaching a ceasefire.” He added: “There is a historic opportunity that Lebanon must seize,” calling on the Lebanese government to take tangible steps proving its seriousness in moving toward confining weapons to the hands of the state.

For his part, Rajji affirmed that Lebanon “pins great hopes on these negotiations,” reiterating that a diplomatic solution has always been the only option to stop the Israeli attacks, secure Israel’s withdrawal, bring back the prisoners, and demarcate the land borders. Rajji stressed that proceeding with direct negotiations has entrenched the principle of separating the Lebanese file from the Iranian file, and that the Lebanese state alone negotiates on behalf of Lebanon.