During his official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met with the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and the accompanying delegation. The meeting was attended by the Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer Al-Bisat, the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makieh, the Lebanese Ambassador to Egypt, Ali Al-Halabi, and the Advisor to the Prime Minister, Ambassador Claude Al-Hajal.

The talks focused on the current situation in Lebanon and the region in general, with a particular emphasis on the ongoing developments in the south and the future of UNIFIL forces after the end of their mission. Ways to strengthen support for Lebanese institutions and deepen economic and development cooperation between the two countries were also discussed.

President Steinmeier affirmed his country’s continued support for Lebanon in its efforts to maintain stability and strengthen its institutions, foremost among them the Lebanese army. He pointed out Germany’s readiness to participate effectively in the international conference to be held to support the Lebanese army, in addition to contributing to economic cooperation projects.

He stressed that Lebanon is invited to seize the opportunity that has arisen after the ceasefire in Gaza to enhance stability and restore confidence at the internal and external levels, stressing that Germany will continue to support Lebanon in this critical phase. He considered that the final agreement with the International Monetary Fund represents “a pivotal step to restore international confidence and boost the economy.”

For his part, President Salam affirmed that Lebanon looks forward to taking advantage of the post-ceasefire period in Gaza and the Sharm el-Sheikh summit to activate arrangements for the cessation of hostilities and consolidate stability in the south, noting that Lebanon’s stability is an integral part of the region’s stability.

He also called for exerting pressure on Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and stop its repeated attacks, and renewed Lebanon’s full commitment to Resolution 1701 and the arrangements for the cessation of hostilities. He pointed out that the government is continuing to implement the plan to confine weapons to the state in order to strengthen the authority of legitimate institutions and consolidate security.

He also affirmed that the government’s reform path is proceeding steadily at the financial and administrative levels, considering these reforms to be “the basic foundation for economic recovery and restoring the confidence of donors and the international community in Lebanon.”