FPM meets Chinese, Russian envoys over proposed international force in south
The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) has launched a series of visits to the embassies of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and other concerned countries to present its proposal for establishing an international implementation and guarantee force in southern Lebanon.
As part of the initiative, an FPM delegation comprising Vice President for Political Affairs Martine Najem Kteily, MP Samer Al-Tom and Diplomatic Relations Department Secretary Georges Saroufim met Chinese Ambassador Chen Chuandong and presented the proposal.
The delegation briefed the ambassador on the outcome of consultations with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, emphasizing the importance of a unified Lebanese position and a nationally initiated proposal to convey Lebanon’s concerns to the international community.
Discussions also highlighted the need for consultations between Lebanon and major powers to safeguard Lebanese national rights and establish an alternative international force following the expiration of UNIFIL’s mandate.
Separately, another FPM delegation met Russian Ambassador Alexander Rudakov to present the same proposal.
The delegation included Kteily, MP Al-Tom, former MP Amal Abou Zeid, FPM leader Gebran Bassil’s political adviser Antoine Constantine, and Rami Matta, who oversees the party’s relations with Russia.
The meeting underscored the importance of preventing a security vacuum in southern Lebanon following the end of UNIFIL’s mandate while ensuring the protection of Lebanon’s national rights.
