The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has begun a Middle East tour that includes Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, a move reflecting the European Union’s growing involvement in issues of stability and reconstruction in the region.

European Union flag.

This afternoon, European Council President António Costa and von der Leyen arrived at Beirut Airport with a European Union delegation, where they were received by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Foreign Minister and Emigrants Affairs Minister Youssef Rajji, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele, Airport Security Chief Brigadier General Fadi Kfoury, Internal Security Forces (ISF) Brigade Commander Brigadier General Ezzat Al-Khatib, General Security Liaison Officer Lieutenant Colonel Georges Dagher, and senior airport security officers.

At the start of the visit, the European Commission President said:

- We provide significant support to the Lebanese Army, the Internal Security Forces, and the General Security Directorate.
- We welcome the important steps Lebanon has taken in judicial and economic reforms.
- All sides must fully respect the ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.
- We welcome Lebanon's efforts to engage in dialogue with Israel.
- We welcome Lebanon's announcement of completing the first phase of the disarmament plan south of the Litani River.

Salam stressed the need to maintain even a reduced United Nations force in the south and highlighted the importance of continued European participation in it.

For their part, the two European officials welcomed the financial reforms carried out by the Lebanese government and praised its work across various fields. Von der Leyen also stressed the need to continue developing the EU-Lebanon partnership.