UK Director General Vijay Rangarajan visits Lebanon

The UK Director General covering the Middle East Vijay Rangarajan ended a two day visit to Lebanon from 15 to 16 February, with the British Embassy in Beirut and UK Syria Office.

"He saw first-hand the UK’s continued support to the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and the most vulnerable in Lebanon, including Syrian refugees," a British Embassy statement said.

Accompanied by British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell, he met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and discussed the country’s latest developments. They offered their condolences over the death of Lebanese nationals who lost their lives following the devastating earthquake that hit south-eastern Turkey and commended the "heroic" search and rescue efforts of the Lebanese Red Cross, LAF and Civil Defense. Rangarajan also reiterated British support to Syrian refugees and welcomed Lebanon’s "generosity in providing safe haven."

At the Third Land Border Regiment in Ablah, General Kamal Kamal gave an overview of LAF operations and how UK support is enhancing their capabilities. Rangarajan also toured a border position built and equipped through UK support to assist in safeguarding Lebanon’s border security.

Moreover, he visited a refugee family at an Informal Tented Settlement in the Bekaa that has been supported with UK aid through the World Food Program’s multi-purpose cash program to meet their most basic and urgent needs.

Rangarajan also met with volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross who headed to Syria in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake to help with search and rescue operations.

Rangarajan said: "An important first visit to Lebanon. I heard from interlocutors, international partners and stakeholders about the severe impact the economic crisis is having on the people of Lebanon. The presidential vacuum risks undermining efforts to deliver much-needed reforms. In my meeting with Prime Minister Mikati I noted the importance of electing a President and concluding the IMF deal, with the UK’s full support."

"On my visit to the Land Border Regiments I reiterated the UK’s long-standing partnership between both our armies and commended the LAF’s continued resilience in extremely difficult times. And it was moving to meet with a Syrian refugee family, forced to flee their home in Aleppo in 2015," he added.

"I extended the UK government’s condolences to the Government of Lebanon over the death of Lebanese nationals following the devastating earthquake in Syria and Turkey, and commended the brave efforts of the Red Cross search and rescue teams," Rangarajan went on to say, emphasizing that "the UK will remain a committed friend to the people of Lebanon."