Latest news with #YoussefRajji
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun visits Bahrain as Gulf diplomatic reset continues
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun arrived in Bahrain on Tuesday for a two-day state visit, the latest stop in Beirut's push to repair and deepen ties with Gulf Arab states. Mr Aoun, accompanied by Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, is expected to meet King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral co-operation, particularly in political, economic and cultural sectors, the Lebanese presidency said. On arrival, Mr Aoun said he was looking forward to 'productive meetings' with the Bahraini leadership to explore avenues for bilateral collaboration, and to exchange views on regional and international development. ' Lebanon values its rooted ties with Bahrain … and we are working together in a spirit that serves the interests of our peoples amid the region's complex challenges,' he said. Since taking office in January, Mr Aoun has placed rebuilding Lebanon's relationships with Gulf countries at the centre of his foreign policy agenda. The former army chief, elected after more than two years of a presidential vacuum, wasted no time in launching a diplomatic charm offensive. His first overseas trip was to Saudi Arabia. He has also visited the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Mr Rajji called on the country to reopen its embassy in Beirut, in an interview with Bahraini daily newspaper Al Ayyam, after Bahrain's ambassador to Lebanon Wahid Mubarak Sayyar had said it was preparing to do so and that work was under way to appoint a resident ambassador. Bahrain was among several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, that withdrew their ambassadors from Beirut in October 2021 following remarks by then information minister George Kordahi, who criticised the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen. His comments triggered a diplomatic crisis, reflecting deeper Gulf concerns over Iran's growing influence in Lebanon through Hezbollah, the powerful Shiite movement that wields military and political power. Relations remained strained for years. But Gulf engagement has gradually resumed in the aftermath of the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which concluded in November. The Iran-backed group was severely weakened by the war. Israel's military campaign destroyed much of Hezbollah's infrastructure, infiltrated its security network and eliminated the group's leader and senior commanders. Lebanon now is under international pressure to disarm Hezbollah. The US ties reconstruction aid and a halt to Israeli army operations to the group's full disarmament around the country. Battered by war and economic collapse, the country is in urgent need of Arab and international support to begin reconstruction and revive its shattered economy. As part of the broader thaw, the UAE and Kuwait lifted travel bans on Lebanon, allowing their citizens to return after years of absence. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon have agreed to examine obstacles preventing the resumption of Lebanese exports to the kingdom and are exploring the possibility of restoring travel access for Saudi citizen to Beirut.
LBCI
22-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Lebanese President arrives in Bahrain for official visit
Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain on an official visit, accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Youssef Rajji, following an invitation extended by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.
LBCI
18-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
French Ambassador, Lebanese FM discuss Syria and UNIFIL mandate
Lebanon's Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji, met with French Ambassador to Lebanon, Hervé Magro, to discuss the latest developments in Syria and the need to shield Lebanon from any potential fallout. Both sides emphasized the urgency of resolving outstanding issues between Lebanon and Syria, underscoring the importance of coordinated diplomacy during a period of regional volatility. Ambassador Magro briefed Minister Rajji on ongoing diplomatic efforts led by France to secure the renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in South Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate remains vital to stability along the border.
LBCI
16-07-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Foreign Ministry defends Rajji's Brussels participation, denies meeting with Israeli official
Lebanon's Foreign Ministry pushed back Wednesday against Israeli interpretations of Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji's participation in a European Union regional conference, saying claims he engaged with his Israeli counterpart distort the facts. In a statement, the ministry clarified that Rajji did not meet or speak with the Israeli foreign minister during the Brussels gathering. Rather, he joined a broad session that included the foreign ministers of Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco. Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria were represented by their ambassadors to Belgium. The ministry noted Lebanon has taken part in similar meetings with EU and Mediterranean states for three decades. It added that Lebanon also participates annually in the U.N. General Assembly, where Israeli officials are present. The statement emphasized that Rajji's participation was coordinated with both the president and the prime minister, and underscored that Lebanon 'chose presence over absence' to make its voice heard.
MTV Lebanon
16-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Foreign Ministry Issues Clarification on Statement Attributed to Rajji
In response to Israeli interpretations and deliberate attempts to portray Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji's participation in the Conference of Neighboring Countries with the European Union as something other than what it truly was, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would like to clarify the following: The Lebanese Foreign Minister did not meet with the Israeli Foreign Minister. He attended a broad session that included Arab foreign ministers from the Mediterranean region (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Morocco). As for the ministers who did not attend, namely those of Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria, they were represented by their ambassadors accredited in Belgium. Lebanon has consistently participated in these meetings alongside Mediterranean countries since the launch of the Barcelona Process thirty years ago. Meetings like these are not limited to the European Union and Mediterranean countries; Lebanon also participates annually in the United Nations General Assembly, where Israel is also present. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizes that Minister Rajji's participation in the Brussels conference was coordinated with the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister. Finally, it is worth noting that Lebanon's Foreign Minister chose to affirm Lebanon's presence rather than shy away, raising his voice and that of Lebanon to clearly express opposition to the ongoing Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory, calling on participating countries to pressure Israel to withdraw and to stop its repeated violations against Lebanon. Among the statements Minister Raji made during the session: "The ongoing occupation is a major obstacle to de-escalation in southern Lebanon. I call on the European Union to mobilize its diplomatic efforts to halt Israeli aggression and to support Lebanon's right to full sovereignty. Any weakening of the Lebanese Army's role would endanger regional stability."
