Cyprus supports mediation efforts, Kombos says at Paris Conference on Lebanon

Cyprus strongly supports the mediation efforts made by its partners, such as France, Foreign Affairs Minister, Constantinos Kombos has said.

He was participating in the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, held in Paris on 24 October.

In his intervention, Kombos also said that the diplomatic route and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) by all parties was “the only solution”.

He also said that Nicosia was considering a package of short-, medium- and long-term aid to Lebanon, including aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces, and that nearly 4,000 people from 29 countries have been repatriated from Lebanon to their countries via Cyprus.

According to an announcement by Cyprus’ Foreign Ministry, the International Conference in Support of Lebanon’s People and Sovereignty, convened by France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, was attended by Ministers of EU member states, the G20 Group and Arab countries, as well as representatives of regional organisations, the UN, and non-governmental organisations.

In his intervention, it said, Kombos “underlined that Cyprus strongly supports the mediation efforts made by our partners, such as France, and noted that the diplomatic route and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006), from all parties, are the only solution”.

“At the same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the need for respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as support for strengthening the country's Armed Forces”, it added. Kombos also referred to “the critical role of the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the need for its security and protection, condemning the repeated attacks against UNIFIL”, it said.

“Regarding the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country, Kombos emphasised that immediate, coordinated and collective action is needed to address the ever-increasing needs,” according to the press release.

He reminded, it adds, that Lebanon is geographically Cyprus’ closest neighbour in the Middle East, and referred to the recent dispatch of humanitarian and medical aid from Cyprus, “also stating that the shipment of a package of short-term, medium-term and long-term aid is also being considered, including aid to the Lebanese Armed Forces”..

He referred, at the same time, to the joint visit of the Cyprus President with the President of the European Commission to Beirut last May, during which the total EU support package of one billion euros for Lebanon was announced.

Furthermore, Cyprus’ contribution, he added, also includes the facilitation of the repatriation of citizens of third countries, noting that, to date, almost 4,000 people from 29 countries have been repatriated from Lebanon to their countries through Cyprus, it said.

Concluding, Kombos thanked France and President Macron for convening the International Conference, “underlining that collective action is required to deal with the ongoing crisis.”

On the sidelines of the Conference, Kombos held bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Lebanon, Najib Mikati, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Giorgos Gerapetritis.

(Source: CNA)