Lebanese FM Kicks off European Tour in Pursuit of Ceasefire

Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Lebanese FM Kicks off European Tour in Pursuit of Ceasefire

Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Lebanese caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib kicked off on Sunday a European tour in pursuit of a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hezbollah and to garner support for the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution 1701.

He will visit Italy, France, Spain and the Vatican.

Israel’s war on Hezbollah is in its fourth week and efforts have so far failed in reaching a ceasefire.

US envoy Amos Hochstein and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit are meanwhile expected in Beirut on Monday.

In Italy, Bou Habib will take part in a G7 meeting at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani.

He will explain Lebanon’s position in calling for a ceasefire and ending the Israeli hostilities through the full implementation of resolution 1701 and bolstering the deployment of the army south of the Litani River.

He will also ask for immediate humanitarian aid for the 1.2 million people who have been displaced by the fighting.

In Paris, he will hold talks with senior UNESCO officials to discuss means to protect Lebanese heritage sites and the education sector.

On Thursday, he will join caretaker Prime Minister and the Lebanese delegation at the Paris conference on Lebanon.

Bou Habib will be in Barcelona on Sunday and Monday to attend the Union for the Mediterranean foreign ministers meeting before returning to Beirut.



French President to Visit Morocco on Oct 28-30, Royal Palace Says

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the port city of Le Havre, France, 12 September 2024. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the port city of Le Havre, France, 12 September 2024. (EPA)
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French President to Visit Morocco on Oct 28-30, Royal Palace Says

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the port city of Le Havre, France, 12 September 2024. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron attends a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the port city of Le Havre, France, 12 September 2024. (EPA)

French President Emmanuel Macron will make a state visit to Morocco on October 28-30, Morocco's royal palace said on Monday.

Relations between the two countries improved following Paris' support in July for Morocco's sovereignty over the disputed Western Sahara territory, according to Reuters.

"This visit reflects the depth of bilateral relations, based on a deep-rooted and solid partnership," the royal palace said in a statement.