Canada's FM in Lebanon to affirm 'commitment to regional stability'
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly arrived Tuesday in Lebanon on a two-day visit to the crisis-hit country.
Joly had been in Cyprus and will also be travelling to Türkiye and Greece.
In Lebanon, Joly will meet with senior government officials and stakeholders, including caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Army chief gen. Joseph Aoun and Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Lieutenant General Aroldo Lázaro Sáenz.
While in Lebanon, Minister Joly will underscore Canada’s support for Lebanon and Lebanese people in their current challenges and reaffirm Canada’s commitment to regional stability, Canada's Global Affairs said.
"The rapidly evolving situations in the Middle East continue to have significant repercussions in many communities in Canada and around the world," Joly said.
"I look forward to engaging with my counterparts and other stakeholders in Cyprus, Lebanon, Türkiye and Greece to hear their views on these issues and to see how Canada can continue to provide support where needed at this critical time," she added.
Canada and Lebanon enjoy strong people-to-people ties, with approximately 400,000 Lebanese-Canadians living in Canada. Since 2016, Canada has committed more than $548 million in funding to support Lebanon’s stability and resilience as it copes with the effects of the conflicts in Iraq and Syria and the catastrophic explosion at the Beirut port in 2020.
Source: Naharnet
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