Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (R), Foreign Minister Joe Rajji (C), and Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ahmad Arafa, participating in the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Sept. 22, 2026. (Credit: Grand Serail on X)
BEIRUT — Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Foreign Minister Joe Rajji held several meetings with international officials in New York on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, during which they mainly stressed the importance of finding a replacement to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose mandate expires Dec. 31, 2026.
According to the Grand Serail, Salam met on Tuesday with his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sánchez, in the presence of Rajji. The meeting addressed the regional escalation and ways to de-escalate it, the situation in Gaza, as well as the future of the international presence in southern Lebanon following the end of UNIFIL’s mission. "Salam stressed the importance of avoiding any vacuum and working to establish a framework for an international presence that would continue monitoring, reporting and liaison tasks, while supporting the Lebanese Army in extending state authority across the country," read a statement published by the Grand Serail on X.
Salam also thanked Spain for its "longstanding commitment to Lebanon and its contribution to UNIFIL, stressing the importance of maintaining this commitment in the next phase, particularly by supporting the Lebanese Army and strengthening its capabilities, given the growing responsibilities it faces and its need for additional resources and personnel."
For his part, Sánchez praised the "reforms undertaken by the Lebanese government despite the difficult circumstances facing Lebanon," stressing the importance of continuing along this path, and reaffirming Spain’s commitment to keep supporting Lebanon and its stability.
Salam also held a meeting with Yemen’s Vice President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Abdullah al-Alimi, in the presence of Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Ahmad Arafa.
The meeting reviewed the challenges facing the two countries amid the current regional circumstances. Recently, the Houthis took control of areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over maritime security and shipping.
Salam Alimi "stressed the importance of extending the authority of the state and its legitimate forces across the entirety of the territories of both Lebanon and Yemen, in a way that safeguards the sovereignty of the two countries and enhances security and stability," according to the Grand Serail. "They also stressed the need to continue efforts to de-escalate tensions and prevent further confrontations in the region," the statement adds.
Meanwhile, Rajji met with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. During the meeting, Parolin expressed the "Holy See’s strong interest in Lebanon," stressing "the need for the country of the Cedars to regain its stability." He reaffirmed "the Vatican’s unwavering support for Lebanon" and its full readiness to contribute to consolidating that stability.
Rajji and Salam also met members of the Lebanese community in New York and heard their views, according to a statement released by the Foreign Minister on X. "Despite the distance, they remain deeply engaged with Lebanon and committed to a strong state that protects its people at home and abroad," Rajji said.
Rajji and Salam also met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani. "The meetings focused on developments in Lebanon and the region, as well as ways to strengthen Arab and international support for Lebanon," Rajji wrote on X. Regarding the meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, Rajji said: "We discussed the close and longstanding ties between Lebanon and Jordan, as well as His Majesty’s 'Aqaba Meetings' initiative, launched in Paris to mobilize international support for the Lebanese Armed Forces and Internal Security Forces. Grateful for Jordan’s steadfast support for Lebanon and its institutions."
According to information obtained by L'Orient Today, Salam might meet with U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday or Wednesday. Lebanese newspaper al-Modon also reported earlier on Tuesday that a meeting between Salam and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, who is traveling to New York with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, could take place.
Also on Tuesday, Rajji and Arafa attended the opening of the general debate of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly. Among those who spoke during Tuesday's session is Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who announced Qatar’s support for Lebanon’s state institutions and its sovereignty over the entirety of Lebanese territory, adding that "Israel is openly declaring that it does not abide by the agreement in Lebanon," according to local media outlets.
On Monday, Salam called for maintaining an "international presence under United Nations auspices" in the south of the country after UNIFIL's withdrawal during a meeting with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The uncertainty regarding the post-UNIFIL era comes as Israeli attacks continue in Southern Lebanon, while dozens of villages remain under Israeli occupation.
