Lebanon’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Youssef Reji, received a call from Finland’s Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen, who conveyed her country’s support and solidarity with Lebanon and its people during these difficult times. They also discussed regional developments, the situation in Lebanon, and the need to halt Israeli escalation in light of the government’s commitment to asserting its sovereignty and confining weapons to state authorities.
Separately, Minister Reji was informed by the Irish Ambassador accredited to Lebanon and Cairo, Aidan O’Hara, that the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has allocated €3 million in humanitarian aid to Lebanon. Minister Reji expressed Lebanon’s gratitude to Ireland and the Irish people for their generosity and reiterated the Lebanese government’s commitment to finding ways to halt Israeli escalation, confine Hezbollah’s weapons, and prohibit its military and security activities, in line with the latest Cabinet decision.
Minister Reji also received a message from Sweden’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dag Hartelius, expressing Sweden’s support for the Lebanese government’s ongoing efforts toward peace, stability, and the state’s monopoly on security. The Swedish minister welcomed the steps the Lebanese government has taken in this regard, emphasized the importance of respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and affirmed Sweden’s support for Lebanon and its people. Minister Reji expressed his appreciation for Sweden’s principled commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability, and the restoration of the state’s exclusive authority over decisions of war and peace. He confirmed efforts to halt Israeli escalation and strengthen the state’s full authority over its territory, in line with the Cabinet decision prohibiting Hezbollah’s military and security activities and confining its weapons to the state.
Minister Reji also reiterated Lebanon’s rejection of Iranian interference in its affairs, condemning Tehran’s continued exploitation of Lebanon and its role in dragging the country into a war it did not choose.
