Prime Minister Nawaf Salam led a series of high-level meetings on Wednesday at the Grand Serail, addressing regional tensions, bilateral ties and infrastructure proposals.
In a closed-door meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, discussions focused on rising security tensions in southern Lebanon. While no statement followed the meeting, sources say both sides stressed the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open to avoid a broader regional escalation.
Salam later met with a top-level Belarusian delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich and Deputy Speaker Vadim Ipatov. The visit, the second of its kind this year, signaled Belarus’ intent to deepen cooperation with Lebanon across several sectors.
“We are committed to long-term collaboration with Lebanon in agriculture, agri-food, education and the medical and pharmaceutical fields,” said Karankevich. He highlighted that over 600 Lebanese students are currently studying in Belarus, a number expected to rise. The Belarusian delegation also donated ambulances to the Lebanese Ministry of Health as part of what it called a gesture of “solidarity and humanitarian partnership.”
Further cooperation was discussed, including medical aid, training of Lebanese health workers and acceleration of bilateral agreements through the intergovernmental committee.
The Belarusian delegation also met with President Joseph Aoun and extended to him an official invitation from Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko to visit Minsk.
Separately, a joint Emirati-Lebanese delegation presented to Prime Minister Salam plans for the rehabilitation of Kleiate Airport in northern Lebanon. The team, representing Emirati firms Dalil and Ajwaa, alongside Gazelle Middle East and Consolidated Contractors Company (CCC), also discussed security upgrades for Beirut International Airport.
The day’s meetings reflected Lebanon’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and revitalize key national sectors amid ongoing political and economic instability.
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