Mogherini Echoes EU’s Unwavering Support for Lebanon

Local Editor

A senior EU official Thursday said that the European Union [EU] was seeking to assist Lebanon in bearing the burden posed by the massive influx of refugees.

High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini's spoke during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.

Mogherini welcomed the election of President Michel Aoun and the political breakthrough in Lebanon, adding that the work of the Cabinet should continue to work in the people's highest interests.

She said that the EU was unwavering in its support for Lebanon, particularly its efforts to cope with the refugee crisis, calling for a political settlement to end the conflict in neighboring Syria.

Bassil told reporters that the ministry will organize a conference next week to tackle terrorism, calling for a solution to the crisis in Syria and the return of refugees to their homeland.

He reiterated Lebanon's opposition to any attempt to settle Syrians in Lebanon.

Lebanon hosts 1.03 million UN-registered Syrian refugees who had fled a nearly 6-year war. The government, however, estimates that the number of refugees living in Lebanon is closer to 1.5 million.

Earlier in the day, Mogherini met with Aoun at Baabda Palace.

Aoun said during the meeting that Lebanon was looking forward to fortifying its ties with the EU.

Mogherini arrived in Beirut on Wednesday, after which held a meeting with Prime Minister Saad Hariri upon her arrival.

Mogherini said they focused on two key aspects of EU support for Lebanon: helping Lebanese communities hosting Syrian refugees and joining projects that the EU and the Lebanese government are undertaking in the country.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team