October 20, 2026
Beirut:
The Grand Serail witnessed an intense diplomatic movement led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who placed the issues of the south, Israeli withdrawal, state support, and reconstruction at the forefront of his discussions with Arab and international officials, amid a common emphasis on the importance of neutralizing Lebanon from any potential regional escalation.
In this context, Salam received the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jean Arnault, where the discussion focused on the latest regional developments and the situation in southern Lebanon. The two sides discussed international arrangements for the period after the end of the mandate of the International Emergency Forces (UNIFIL), stressing the need to spare the country from any repercussions of the ongoing confrontations in the region.
On the Arab level, the Prime Minister received the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Fahmy, and the accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raji, the Lebanese Ambassador to Cairo, Ali Al-Halabi, and the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Judge Mahmoud Makkiya.
During the meeting, Salam stressed the necessity of continuing Arab support for Lebanon to enable the state to achieve complete Israeli withdrawal and extend its authority over its entire territory by its own forces alone, in addition to supporting recovery and reconstruction efforts to stabilize the people in their lands. He also called for encouraging Arab investments in infrastructure projects and regional connectivity to support the national economy and enhance Lebanon’s integration into its surroundings.
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, indicated after his arrival at the Grand Serail at 12:30 p.m. and being received by Judge Mahmoud Makkih, that he met with the presidents of the republic, parliament, and government in a series of high-level meetings to learn about the Lebanese leaders’ assessment of the political situation.
Fahmy affirmed the transfer of the Arab League’s absolute support to Lebanon, recalling the strong decision issued by the recent Ministerial Council to support the state, its institutions, and the Lebanese reconciliation, and noting that his visit to Beirut comes at the forefront of his foreign tours to benefit from the effects of this decision. He explained that he continued his meetings with members of the House of Representatives, and will tour outside Beirut before returning to Cairo to provide a comprehensive assessment of Lebanese priorities and ensure the proper implementation of the League’s decision to meet the needs of the Lebanese state.
