Post-UNIFIL Phase Discussed Between Mansour and Malaysian Counterpart

Minister of National Defense Brigadier General Michel Menassa received Malaysian Minister of Defense Mohamed Khalid bin Noruddin at his office in Yarzé, accompanied by the commander of the Malaysian Joint Force, Lieutenant General Mohamed Fawzi bin Tengku Ibrahim, the acting chargé d'affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in Lebanon, Johan Aref bin Mohamed Jaafar, and an accompanying delegation.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations between Lebanon and Malaysia, ways to develop joint cooperation, and discussed the latest developments on the Lebanese and regional scenes.

Brigadier General Menassa welcomed his Malaysian counterpart, appreciating the continued support Malaysia provides to Lebanon and its active participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) for nearly two decades. He also praised the role played by the Malaysian battalion in the south and its initiatives aimed at supporting local communities through Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects in humanitarian, developmental, and service sectors.

The two sides discussed the phase following the end of UNIFIL's mandate at the end of this year, as well as ongoing efforts and consultations to explore possible alternatives for the next phase to contribute to supporting security and stability in the south.

The Minister of National Defense also briefed his Malaysian counterpart on the repercussions of continuing Israeli attacks on Lebanon and addressed the framework agreement signed in Washington, stressing the necessity of implementing the basic clauses related to withdrawal and ceasefire, noting that neither has been achieved to date amid ongoing Israeli aggression.

For his part, the Malaysian Minister of Defense expressed his country's desire to expand the horizons of bilateral relations and enhance cooperation in various fields, particularly with the Lebanese Army, praising the role performed by the military institution in maintaining security and stability. He also announced that his country would deliver a gift to the Lebanese Army, provided by the Malaysian battalion operating within UNIFIL, consisting of various military equipment and gear to support its capabilities.