The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albarestravels this Tuesday to Lebanon, where he will begin a mini-trip that will also take him to Iraq and which is part of the efforts that the government is making to contribute to de-escalation in the Middle East, as reported by his department in a statement .
Both in Beirut as in LebanonThe minister plans to “hold meetings at the highest level with which he aims to provide impetus for regional de-escalation that will lead to greater stability in the region,” explained Foreign Affairs, emphasizing that Spain is already contributing to security and stability in the region with his participation in the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and with the troops stationed in Iraq to support its security.
Albares will meet the Prime Minister in Beirut. Nayib Mikatiwith whom he already had a meeting last week during the Davos Forum, where the details of this visit were agreed upon.
He will also meet with those responsible FINULwhich is currently commanded by the Spanish general Aroldo Lazaro and to which Spain is sending 656 soldiers to “know first-hand the environment in which Spanish troops operate and appreciate the work they are doing in the region in close cooperation with the Lebanese Army.”
The minister also plans to meet with the heads of Spanish NGOs present in the country, to whom he would like to “convey the support of the Spanish government for their extraordinary work in extremely difficult conditions”.
Accordingly Outdoor areasSpain has doubled its contributions Lebanon Up to 6.5 million euros and it is planned to include it in the program as a priority country for Spanish cooperation Master plan 2024 this is currently being finalized.
Baghdad, second stage
The second leg of the trip will take Albares to Baghdad, where he will begin his visit at the Unión III base, where he will meet with the Spanish military authorities and receive updates on the mission that Spain is carrying out in Iraq, both as part of the Global coalition against the Islamic State as in the area NATO mission in IraqEducation and training for members of the defense and interior ministries.
His visit will take place at the air base after this Saturday Assad, where part of the Spanish contingent is stationed, was attacked with rockets, injuring several American soldiers. This attack was claimed by the pro-Iranian Shiite militias operating in Iraq and carrying out actions in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
In addition, the minister plans to meet with his Iraqi counterpart Fuad Hussein, with whom he will discuss bilateral relations between the two countries as well as the situation in the region, and he will also meet with the country's President Abdul Ratif Rachid and with the Prime Minister, Mohamed Shia al Sudanito continue Sánchez's visit on December 27 and strengthen relations between the two countries.
Situation in the Middle East
This mini-tour follows the contacts that Albares has maintained in the last two days with several of his counterparts in the region, including from Jordan, Egypt and Palestinewith whom he had the opportunity to meet as part of his participation in the Council of Foreign Affairs The conference, which took place in Brussels on Monday, focused in particular on the situation in the Middle East.
The minister did not meet with his new Israeli counterpart. Israel Katzwho also traveled to the European capital to take part in the aforementioned meeting where he reiterated his government's position against the two-state solution that Spain, among others, defends.
It should be recalled that after taking office on January 1, Katz gave instructions for the return of the Israeli ambassador. Rodica Radian Gordonwho is already back in Madrid after being called for consultations in protest against the Prime Minister's statements, Pedro Sanchezin which he questioned whether Israel was complying with the regulations International human law in its offensive in Gaza.