Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam received the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Lebanon, Anura Withanagi, on a protocol visit on the occasion of assuming his new diplomatic duties.
According to information, the meeting discussed bilateral relations between Lebanon and Sri Lanka, in addition to developments related to the situation in southern Lebanon, especially the file of the international forces operating in the south (UNIFIL).
The post-UNIFIL phase was also discussed, with Sri Lanka participating with about 150 members of the international forces deployed in southern Lebanon.
Research into this file comes amid escalating international debate about the future of the UNIFIL mission and its role in the south, in light of the ongoing security and military developments on the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
During the past months, the issue of the presence and powers of international forces has returned to the forefront of political and security debate, with increasing escalation between Israel and Hezbollah, and continued mutual violations of ceasefire agreements.
Sri Lanka is one of the countries participating in the UNIFIL forces, as it contributes elements to the international units deployed in a number of regions of the south, within the framework of the international mission that was established to monitor the cessation of hostilities and support stability on the borders.
The meeting also comes in the context of the diplomatic movement taking place in Beirut with a number of countries participating in the international forces, amid Lebanese and international monitoring of the future of the security situation in the south and the possibility of establishing a long-term truce in the region.
