President Joseph Aoun meets ICRC delegation, stresses protecting civilians and ensuring their basic needs are a priority
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, on Monday received at Baabda palace, Head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Lebanon, Agnès Dhur, accompanied by ICRC’s Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator, Shawqi Amine Eddine.
During the meeting, the discussion included the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, particularly in areas affected by Israeli attacks. Dhur briefed President Aoun on the activities carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross as part of its humanitarian mandate, including efforts to assist affected residents and meet their basic needs, as well as the challenges facing the ICRC Delegation, its priorities, and its plans for the next phase.
The discussions also addressed the ongoing cooperation between the International Committee of the Red Cross and Lebanese official institutions, particularly the Ministries of Agriculture and Social Affairs, to support affected communities and strengthen their resilience. They also highlighted the importance of maintaining coordination with relevant institutions to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those who need it.
The discussion also discussed developments in southern Lebanon, where the delegation expressed concern over the potential repercussions of the gradual withdrawal of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and its impact on the humanitarian situation and the needs of residents in border areas.
For his part, President Aoun praised the role played by the International Committee of the Red Cross in Lebanon and the efforts of its teams under delicate and challenging circumstances, highlighting the importance of continuing its humanitarian work and strengthening coordination with Lebanese official institutions, particularly in the affected areas.
The President stressed that protecting civilians and ensuring their basic needs are met are a priority, particularly in southern Lebanon, emphasizing the need to respect international humanitarian law, halt Israeli attacks, and create the conditions necessary for residents to return safely to their villages and homes and resume their normal lives.
Aoun also stressed the importance of respecting international humanitarian law, ending Israeli attacks, and creating the conditions necessary for residents to return safely to their villages and homes and resume their normal lives.
Aoun also spoke about the importance of the continued presence and support of international humanitarian organizations in Lebanon during the coming period, as well as the need to address growing humanitarian needs through sustainable programmes that contribute to supporting local communities and strengthening their resilience.
