Lebanese Forces” Party leader, Samir Geagea, along with his wife, member of the “Strong Republic” Bloc, MP Strida Geagea, on Tuesday welcomed US Ambassador to Lebanon, Lisa Johnson, in Maarab.
The meeting reportedly focused on Lebanese and regional developments. “We are currently witnessing a race between escalating wars and increasingly active diplomacy, Geagea said, stressing that “the only ray of hope lies in placing the Palestinian issue among the priorities.’
Geagea also noted the ongoing efforts to address the Palestinian conflict, ‘which will ultimately lead to regional de-escalation.’
The presidential dossier was also addressed during the meeting. Geagea affirmed, “In Lebanon, we have a constitution and genuine institutions. Our main task is to reactivate these institutions and remove the obstructionist grip on them to enable the production of effective solutions to the crisis created by those who have become known to everyone.”
‘Lebanese people only ask the international community to help stop th
e obstruction and revive life in institutions, especially the parliament, which is the main gateway to the solution, by holding real and genuine presidential election sessions, not symbolic ones as has happened so far. MPs are called upon to fulfill their constitutional duty in consecutive sessions,’ he added.
Geagea extended his best wishes to Ambassador Johnson in her new role, expressing gratitude to the United States for its support to Lebanon and its institutions.
He hoped for the continuation of this support, especially for ‘the military institutions striving to maintain security and stability during this turbulent and critical phase in Lebanon’s history and the region.
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon
Egypt will continue to exert its utmost efforts in order to reach a ceasefire agreement in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip soon, according to Chairman of the State Information Service (SIS) Diaa Rashwan.
He added that Egypt received, 6-2-2024, Hamas’ response to the proposed framework, reached during the Paris meeting for a truce agreement which Egypt handed over to the Hamas movement.
He stressed that Egypt will discuss all the details of the proposed framework with the concerned parties, including intensifying meetings with them, to reach an agreement among them on its final formula as soon as possible.
Rashwan stated that Egypt had recently put forward a framework for a proposal, trying to bring viewpoints closer between all concerned parties, in an effort to stop Palestinian bloodshed, a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, and restore peace and stability to the region, accordingly, Palestinian prisoners and Israeli detainees will be exchanged in stages, and humanitarian support for our brothers in the Gaza Strip w
ill be intensified.
Rashwan stressed that Egypt will continue its intense efforts around the clock, in order to end the fighting in Gaza, and preserve the lives of the Palestinian people and their legitimate rights, to which the agreement on the proposed framework will be a necessary introduction, and which Egypt will successively announce everything new in negotiating with interested parties.
Source: State Information Service Egypt