Guterres in Lebanon Saturday for 'solidarity visit'

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced Monday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will visit Lebanon for a two-day trip this week.

“On Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, the Secretary-General had telephone conversations with Lebanon’s newly elected President Joseph Aoun to congratulate him on his election. He also spoke with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati,” Dujarric said during a press briefing. “During these calls, it was agreed that the Secretary-General would visit Lebanon for a solidarity visit with the country and its people. In Beirut, he will meet with Lebanese political leaders and other figures. He also plans to visit southern Lebanon to meet with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and express his support and thanks for their work under very difficult circumstances.”

The visit comes at a pivotal moment for Lebanon, which elected Joseph Aoun as president on Jan. 9 after a vacancy of more than two years. The new president has pledged to prioritize national stability and security, including drafting a national defense strategy and reinforcing the independence of the judiciary.

On Monday, parliamentary consultations convened by Aoun resulted in the appointment of Nawaf Salam as prime minister-designate. Salam now faces the task of forming a new government to replace that of Najib Mikati, who has been managing caretaker duties since his resignation in May 2022.

Guterres’s visit underscores the U.N.’s ongoing support for peace and stability in the region, particularly through UNIFIL’s work in southern Lebanon. The force plays a critical role in maintaining the cease-fire between Lebanon and Israel and assisting the Lebanese Armed Forces in securing the border.

The Secretary-General hopes his visit will strengthen cooperation between the U.N. and Lebanon while reaffirming the international community’s commitment to helping the country address its current challenges.