NNA – Deputy Prime Minister, Caretaker Minister of National Defense and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Zeina Akar, on Monday met with diplomats and ministry employees upon assuming her caretaker duties at the Ministry.

Marking the occasion, she delivered a speech in which she shared her action plan to manage the tough phase that Lebanon currently endures.

“One of the top priorities that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants should work on is it’s openness to all brotherly and friendly countries in a way that preserves Lebanon’s friendships, and the dignity of its citizens, whilst adhering to the national constants that all the Lebanese diplomatic missions must endeavor to affirm in a bid to restore the confidence and partnership of regional and international institutions,” Akar said.

She went on to stress the need to kick off the ministry’s action plan with Lebanon’s Arab brothers “with whom we have common covenants, language, belonging, and other common interests.”

Akar then called for the adoption of a foreign policy that sets Lebanon’s interests as a top priority. “Lebanon’s foreign policy is a faithful translation of consensus among its nationals; it should never be a source of disagreement and estrangement among them,” she affirmed.

Akar also capitalized on Lebanon’s full awareness of the Israeli danger, stressing the need to deal with it firmly. She also called for mobilizing Arab and international public opinion to support Lebanon’s rights to its land and waters — in accordance with the international laws in force.

“Lebanon adheres to the right of Palestinians to return to their homeland and has refused resettlement in accordance with the preamble of the Lebanese constitution. Lebanon is also committed to Resolution 1701, in all its provisions, and to UNIFIL’s mission, as approved by the recent renewal resolution issued by the Security Council.

Akar went on to stress the importance of communicating with the Lebanese diaspora, which has shown unprecedented solidarity with Lebanon during its successive crises.

“We cannot forget the support of the Lebanese diaspora in the wake of the ill-fated Beirut Port blast,” she added.

Akar finally called for attention to the administrative and organizational situation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, as permitted by the scope of her caretaking mission. She also highlighted the need to start preparations for expatriate elections in the forthcoming round of parliamentary elections.

Source: National News Agency-Lebanon