Belgian FM Hails Miqati, Bilateral Relations with Lebanon
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders praised on Wednesday the Lebanese government for funding the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and hailed the Belgian-Lebanese bilateral relations.
“We are eager to continue our cooperation with the United Nations Security Council for the upcoming three years,” Reynders said after meeting with Prime Minister Najib Miqati at the Grand Serail.
In January, Miqati announced that he had transferred Lebanon's share of funding to the tribunal probing the Feb. 14, 2005 assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is expected to renew the STL cooperation protocol with Lebanon, which expires at the end of February, for another three years.
“We are looking forward to implement the tribunal’s work,” Reynders said.
The FM also noted that the bilateral relations between the two countries are “excellent.”
Concerning the regional and international developments, Reynders stressed that his country holds onto the importance of resuming the political dialogue between countries.
“We don’t expect a breakthrough regarding the peace course especially while France and the United States of America are holding elections this year,” he stated.
On the situation in Syria, Reynders said that the current bloodshed should stop “whether through imposing pressure on the Syrian regime or through dialogue.
“The most important thing is for the crisis not to spill over Lebanon and have repercussions on its local situation.”
The Belgian FM also held separate talks with Speaker Nabih Berri and FM Adnan Mansour.
He arrived in Lebanon on Tuesday on an official visit.
over 12 years
Don't worry, this guy is meaningless... He was the former finance minister for ten years and led Belgium to bankruptcy. His political party (mouvement reformateur) is totally rotten and corrupt.... Exactly like its Lebanese counterparts.... Same goes for the socialists and other nepotistics/cronyists/particrats....
Why do all the western nations only see Lebanon through the lens of the STL. OK, the STL is important, but there is more to Lebanon than the STL!!! what about the 4Millions people still alive who need economic growth? what protocols with belgium can we do to improve their lives? what about gas exloration? what about that as a discussion instead of generalities about the STL and syria where we can do nothing anyway????