The Lebanese Minister of Culture, Ghassan Salameh (Credit: NNA)
Lebanese Culture Minister Ghassan Salameh announced Thursday his intention to travel to Paris "to participate in an extraordinary Heritage Committee meeting, dedicated to the protection of archaeological sites in Lebanon threatened by war," without specifying the exact date of this visit. The Heritage Committee, which operates under UNESCO, includes Lebanon among its 21 members. Israeli strikes have recently taken place near several archaeological sites, including in Sour.
"We will also take part in the opening of the Byblos exhibition at the Institut du Monde Arabe (Arab World Institute). This will be an opportunity to present Lebanon's position and outline its needs, both in terms of diplomatic support and assistance to deal with the consequences of the massive displacement from southern Lebanon and other regions," Salameh said, following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun in Baabda.
The minister also supported the head of state's initiative to hold direct negotiations with Israel with a view to ending the conflict with Israel. "The presidential initiative is flexible and evolving, allowing for its implementation, with the hope that there will be no internal obstacles, although the Israeli side has not yet accepted it. This initiative aims to establish a cease-fire, strengthen the capabilities of the Lebanese army and launch direct negotiations," he said. "Current circumstances require everyone to move beyond previous positions in order to facilitate a cease-fire, which could be accompanied by reciprocal conditions between the parties," Salameh added.
Hezbollah and its allies continue to reject the principle of direct negotiations and refuse to designate a Shiite figure to the committee that could be in charge of this.
