NNA - President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, held a series of meetings upon his arrival in Nicosia to participate in the informal meeting of EU Heads of State and Government, with the participation of leaders from the southern neighboring countries (the Middle East and North Africa), which took place today in Nicosia. President Aoun participated in this meeting at the invitation of Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, as Cyprus is currently holding the presidency of the European Union.
In this framework, President Aoun met with French President Emmanuel Macron, where he briefed him on the developments in Lebanon and the ongoing efforts he is undertaking to end the current situation in Lebanon and put an end to the suffering of the Lebanese people.
President Aoun also briefed his French counterpart on the atmosphere of the two meetings held at the U.S. Department of State and the White House in Washington.
President Aoun also presented Lebanon's position on the post-ceasefire phase, thanking President Macron for "the constant attention he shows toward Lebanon, and for the aid sent by the French government to assist displaced Lebanese, in addition to the support France provides to Lebanon across all sectors." President Aoun also affirmed that Lebanon "looks forward to the support of France and the European Union countries in the upcoming phase."
The French President, for his part, affirmed his country's support for Lebanon "in the current circumstances it is going through," and briefed President Aoun on the outcomes of the contacts he had carried out with European leaders and France's friends, "to accompany the Lebanese efforts in consolidating the ceasefire and launching bilateral negotiations."
President Macron also confirmed that his country "will continue its contacts to support the Lebanese position, and will stand by Lebanon to strengthen its stance during the negotiations, in order to achieve the desired objectives." He also affirmed that France will continue to "provide assistance to Lebanon in all fields."
President Aoun also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and briefed her on the track of securing a ceasefire.
The Italian Prime Minister informed President Aoun of her country's support for Lebanon and its positions, "especially regarding the issue of direct bilateral negotiations." Meloni confirmed that Italy is "ready to assist Lebanon in everything that would facilitate this process and achieve the desired stability," stressing that her country will continue to "send aid to Lebanon, as it has done in the past."
President Aoun thanked PM Meloni for her efforts in this regard.
President Aoun also met with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, during which they discussed the bilateral relations between the two countries.
At the sidelines of the informal EU Summit, Aoun also held meetings with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President of the European Council Antonio Costa, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II, and the Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi.
