Lebanese govt doing ‘amazing job’ in stabilising country, Kombos says

The Lebanese government is “doing an amazing job” in its efforts to stabilise the country amid an insurgency being undertaken by Iran-backed militia Hezbollah and an ongoing invasion being launched by Israel, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the day’s European foreign affairs council (Fac) summit in Luxembourg, he said that it is a “very important political signal” that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam had been invited to attend it.

“The authorities in Lebanon are doing an amazing job in terms of trying to stabilise the country, and the stability of Lebanon is important for the stability of the region,” he said.

He also pointed out that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will attend this week’s informal European Council summit in Cyprus, saying that Aoun’s attendance will form “part of the wider political signalling and the tangible support we have to extend towards Lebanon”.

Earlier, he had held a one-on-one meeting with Salam, after which he said that he had “reiterated Cyprus’ principled support for Lebanon’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity”, before hailing the 10-day ceasefire which entered force in the country last Thursday.

“The 10-day ceasefire is a meaningful step towards de-escalation across the region and paves the way for lasting peace. Towards this end, it is vital that all parties fully respect and implement what has been agreed,” he said, adding that Cyprus supports the talks between Lebanon and Israel which are to be mediated by the United States.

“At the same time, the Republic of Cyprus will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to support the people of Lebanon, who are being tested by the latest developments,” he said.

Representatives of Lebanon and Israel are expected to meet again on Thursday for the next round of talks between the two countries, with the two countries previously having not engaged in direct negotiations of this nature since Israel invaded southern Lebanon in 1982.

Previously, Kombos had been one of 18 signatories to a joint statement which called on both countries to “seize this opportunity”.

Meanwhile, while negotiations have thus far been held in the US, it had been widely reported in Lebanon that Cyprus may be the location of future negotiations, though government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis told the Cyprus Mail that he has received no such information thus far.