Rajji Welcomes Trump’s Decision to Lift Sanctions on Syria

Discussing southern tensions, bilateral ties with UK Ambassador

Foreign Minister, Youssef Rajji, on Wednesday met with British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell, for talks on the political and economic situation in Lebanon and ways to enhance bilateral relations.

The meeting addressed the escalating tensions in southern Lebanon amid continued Israeli aggression, as well as the expected renewal of the UNIFIL mandate. Both sides stressed the importance of maintaining the peacekeeping force’s role.

Discussions also touched on the UK's assistance in securing Lebanon's eastern border through surveillance towers deployed along the frontier with Syria.

In turn, Minister Rajji welcomed the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to lift sanctions on Syria, following mediation by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, noting its potential positive impact on Lebanon, especially regarding the return of Syrian refugees.

Rajji also received MP Hagop Pakradounian, with whom he discussed recent domestic developments. Pakradounian raised the case of Lebanese-Armenian citizen Viken Oljikjian, detained in Azerbaijan since November 2020, and urged continued efforts by the ministry to secure his release.