The President of the Government of Spain stresses Spain's support for Lebanon's stability and security

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, receives the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, at Moncloa Palace (Pool Moncloa /Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has met with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, with whom he discussed the complex geopolitical situation facing the region.

The third meeting between the two leaders comes two weeks after the entry into force of the ceasefire agreement with Israel and five days after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which has caused great political upheaval in the region and may affect Lebanon.

Pedro Sánchez and Najib Mikati discussed, among other aspects, the ceasefire agreement reached between Lebanon and Israel, and agreed that the priority is for it to be lasting so that it becomes a permanent cessation of hostilities and paves the way for the full implementation of United Nations Council Resolution 1701.

In this regard, the president of the Government of Spain referred to the difficult circumstances in which UNIFIL, one of the parties that will oversee the implementation of the agreement, has been working. He also stressed Spain's support for the UN's decision to maintain UNIFIL and its willingness to explore ways to further strengthen it in this new phase.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and Lebanese Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, talks during the meeting | Pool Moncloa /Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government of Spain conveyed all of Spain's solidarity after all these months of war to the Prime Minister of Lebanon. In this regard, he highlighted the fact that the Government of Spain has increased its support for Lebanon over the last year. He also stressed that the country was included as a priority for Spanish Cooperation in the new Master Plan 2024-2027 and that aid has been increased by 60% in 2024, reaching 10.2 million euros. Furthermore, he stressed that Spain will support Lebanon's reconstruction efforts and emphasised that the displaced must be able to return to their homes as a matter of justice, but also as a way to stabilise the area.

Pedro Sánchez stressed the need for a peaceful and stable Syria, for the benefit of the Syrian people and all countries in the region, especially Lebanon. He also called for an orderly political transition for the Syrian people while maintaining the territorial integrity of the country and avoiding further escalation in the region.

Non official translation