Guterres arrived in Lebanon on Sunday. (Credit: Angela Weiss/AFP)
BEIRUT — The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres arrived in Lebanon Sunday, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Guterres was welcomed upon his arrival by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the UN Amal Mudallali and UN Special Coordinator in Lebanon Joanna Wronecka.
• In a video message released Friday ahead of his trip to Lebanon, Guterres stated that his organization stands with the people of the crisis-torn country.
• Guterres’ visit will last until Wednesday. In his video message, he outlined that during this time he will meet with various Lebanese leaders and representatives to explore how the UN can effectively help the country in overcoming its multifaceted crisis and promoting peace, stability, justice, development and human rights.
• “It is essential for leaders to put the people first, and implement the reforms needed to set Lebanon back on track, including efforts to promote accountability and transparency, and root out corruption,” he added.
• The UN secretary-general also said that he believes the upcoming 2022 parliamentary elections would be key for “a better future” in the country.
• Lebanon is grappling with an economic collapse that has been ongoing for two years, as well as domestic political paralysis over cabinet ministers’ disagreement on the future of the investigation into the 2020 Beirut port explosion and a diplomatic fallout with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf monarchies.