Raggi and Irish Foreign Minister discuss Post-UNIFIL security arrangements
Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister Youssef Raggi received Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Helen McEntee, who reaffirmed her country’s support for Lebanon’s security and stability.
Discussions focused on security arrangements following the end of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate.
Raggi thanked Ireland for its contribution to UN peacekeeping operations and the sacrifices made by its personnel, stressing that the Foreign Ministry continued to follow up on the killing of an Irish peacekeeper to ensure those responsible were held accountable.
Both ministers expressed concern over the potential security vacuum following UNIFIL’s departure from southern Lebanon and agreed on the need to maintain an international presence along the border.
McEntee also explored the role the European Union, currently chaired by Ireland, could play in future security arrangements.
Raggi warned of Lebanon’s difficult circumstances and expressed concern that Hezbollah was preparing for another war at Iran’s request. He reiterated the need for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory and halt its attacks.
He also highlighted government decisions restricting weapons to state authority and banning Hezbollah’s military and security activities, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the Lebanese Army.
Separately, Raggi received UNHCR Representative in Lebanon Karolina Lindholm Billing for discussions on the return of displaced Syrians to their homeland.
Billing reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to Lebanon’s sovereignty and stability despite budget cuts, expressing hope that conditions in Syria would become more favorable next year for larger-scale returns.
She also pledged continued assistance to Lebanese communities affected by hostilities in the south.
Raggi stressed the need to bring the Syrian displacement issue to a resolution and conveyed the Energy Ministry’s demand that refugee accommodation centers settle outstanding electricity bills, in line with measures applied by Électricité du Liban to public institutions with unpaid dues.
Billing expressed support for the request, emphasizing that Lebanese laws should apply equally to citizens and all residents.
