European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell. (Credit: AFP)
European Union Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell is expected in Lebanon on Wednesday and Thursday. He will meet with, among others, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanese Army Chief General Joseph Aoun and caretaker Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, according to an EU delegation statement.
Borrell, who arrived in Cairo on Sunday, will travel to Beirut as part of the EU’s ongoing regional efforts to prevent further escalation. "This visit is part of the EU's response to the Gaza war, where the catastrophic humanitarian situation and the fate of hostages make an urgent ceasefire even more critical. The EU's support for Lebanon’s resilience and stability, and its regional role, will be discussed with a range of national and international stakeholders, including the United Nations," the statement reads.
On Monday, Borrell held official meetings in Cairo, including with President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He is also expected to visit Rafah (on the Egyptian side) for meetings with U.N. agency representatives and the Emergency Relief Committee (ERC). On Tuesday, Borrell will meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and attend an Arab League ministerial meeting in Cairo.
"The mediation efforts by Egypt, the United States and Qatar will be prominent on the agenda, along with the EU's role in alleviating human suffering in Gaza. Discussions will also cover the regional situation. The mission will provide an opportunity to discuss with regional leaders all aspects of the Gaza situation, the impact on neighboring countries, and their contributions to peace and stability efforts," the EU said.