The Diplomat
The Government of Spain congratulated yesterday the new Lebanese Executive and reiterated its commitment to “continue working for the stability of the country” through its participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
“The Government of Spain congratulates the new Government of Lebanon, headed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, which has obtained the vote of confidence of the Parliament and wishes him the greatest success in the functions he now assumes,” said the Executive of Pedro Sánchez through a statement.
“It is necessary to address without further delay the urgent reforms pending to face the exceptional circumstances Lebanon is going through and respond to the demands of the Lebanese people,” continued the Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Parliament’s decision will make it possible to overcome the institutional crisis Lebanon has been experiencing since August 2020, following the explosion in the port of Beirut which caused almost 200 deaths and led to the resignation of the Government. Lebanon has been, since then, in the hands of an acting executive, until the agreement reached last September 10 by President Michel Aoun and Najib Mikati to form a new cabinet. Mikati, who has been prime minister twice before, has pledged to hold elections in 2022.
“The Government of Spain is willing to accompany Lebanon in this purpose and reiterates its commitment to continue working for the stability of the country through participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL),” concluded the Executive of Sánchez.
Precisely, last September 16 marked fifteen years since the first blue helmets were sent to Lebanon, where, within the framework of the Libre Hidalgo mission of the Spanish Armed Forces, they are in charge of security in one of the sectors of the UNIFIL deployment in the south of the country. Since then, Spain has sent up to 35 contingents of the Spanish Army and more than 10,000 men and women to guarantee peace and stability in the limits between Israel and Lebanon marked by the so-called Blue Line. A total of 16 Spanish soldiers have lost their lives in the fulfillment of their mission, as the Ministry of Defense recalled last week.
