Beirut:Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Minister Youssef Raggi met with Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Helen McEntee, to discuss the security situation in Lebanon following the conclusion of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) mandate. McEntee reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to Lebanon's security and stability.

According to National news agency - Lebanon, discussions between Raggi and McEntee centered on addressing the potential security vacuum left by the departure of UNIFIL. Both ministers highlighted the importance of maintaining an international presence along Lebanon's border to ensure ongoing security. McEntee also considered the European Union's potential role in future security arrangements, with Ireland currently holding the EU presidency.

Minister Raggi expressed gratitude to Ireland for its contributions to UN peacekeeping operations and emphasized the need for accountability in the case of an Irish peacekeeper's death. He voiced concerns about the possibility of Hezbollah preparing for conflict at Iran's behest and called for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory. Raggi underscored the importance of strengthening the Lebanese Army and reiterated measures to limit military activities to state authorities.

In a separate meeting, Raggi discussed Syrian refugee returns with UNHCR Representative in Lebanon, Karolina Lindholm Billing. Billing assured continued support for Lebanon's sovereignty despite budget constraints and hoped for improved conditions in Syria to facilitate larger-scale refugee returns. She pledged ongoing aid to communities in southern Lebanon affected by hostilities.

Raggi emphasized resolving the Syrian displacement issue and conveyed the Energy Ministry's insistence that refugee accommodation centers pay outstanding electricity bills, consistent with policies applied to other public institutions. Billing supported this requirement, stressing the need for Lebanese laws to be uniformly enforced among all residents.