Ukraine held negotiations in Lebanon with Hezbollah’s irreconcilable enemy, the Lebanese Forces party. We discussed “expanding bilateral relations”

The Ukrainian delegation led by Andrey Sibiga held negotiations with the Christian party in Lebanon “Lebanese forces”. Main topics: war with Russia, countering Hezbollah and strengthening bilateral ties.

The party's leader, Samir Jaajaa, is known for his tough stance against authoritarian regimes, including the (former) Assad regime in Syria, as well as his long-standing resistance to Hezbollah, which is actively arming Iran and Russia.

The meeting of the Ukrainian delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga and the leader of the Lebanese Forces party Samir Jaaja became a landmark event for diplomatic relations between the countries.

About this reports the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine December 31, 2024.

Why did Ukraine choose a partner in the form of a political force that is in opposition to Hezbollah, and how can this affect regional politics?

The meeting took place at the party headquarters, and the main topics were the Russian-Ukrainian war, the war against Hezbollah (the irreconcilable enemy of the Lebanese Forces), which is armed not only by Iran, but also by Russia, and the issue of expanding bilateral relations.

Who are the Lebanese Forces?

Lebanese Forces is one of the leading Christian parties in Lebanon. Its roots go back to the Lebanese Civil War (1975–1990). This party positions itself as a defender of the country's Christian community and a supporter of Christian democracy.

Basic principles of the Lebanese Forces:

• Rights of Christian communities in multi-ethnic Lebanon;
• Countering Iran's influence through his support for Hezbollah;
• Building Democracy and the rule of law.

The party's leader, Samir Jaajaa, is known for his tough stance against authoritarian regimes, including the Assad regime in Syria, as well as his long-standing resistance to Hezbollah, which is actively arming Iran and Russia.

Main topics of the meeting

1. Russia's war against Ukraine

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized the importance of fighting Russian aggression not only on Ukrainian territory, but also at the diplomatic level. Russia is known to support Hezbollah by arming it through Iran.

“We understand that our fight with Russia is not only a war for Ukraine, but also for the free world,” noted Andrei Sibiga.

2. Iran's influence on Lebanon

Jaajaa expressed concern about Iran's growing influence on Lebanon's internal affairs. Despite the economic crisis and protests, Hezbollah remains a powerful force destabilizing the situation in the country.

“Iran continues to sabotage the development of Lebanon through its agents,” Jaajaa stressed.

3. Bilateral relations

Sibiga called Lebanon a “great country” and declared Ukraine’s readiness to cooperate. Possible areas include:

• Energy;
• Food security;
• Humanitarian Initiatives.

Why is this meeting important for Ukraine?

Global diplomacy

Ukraine is building partnerships with forces opposing Russian influence. Lebanon is a region where Russia is trying to strengthen its presence through support for Hezbollah.

Support for Christian communities

Ukraine, with a significant Christian population, is strengthening ties with parties that defend religious freedoms. This is especially important in Israel, where Christian and Jewish communities can find common ground.

Economic cooperation

Ukraine is ready to offer Lebanon assistance in the energy and food sectors, which is beneficial for both countries.

Table: Comparison of the positions of Ukraine and the “Lebanese Forces”

The Red Thread: Diplomacy as a Response to Challenges

The meeting between Sibiga and Jaaja underscores Ukraine's desire to move beyond the European context and strengthen ties with Middle Eastern partners.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that this is a “stage of opportunity” for the development of relations between the countries. For Israel, as an important ally of Ukraine, such steps demonstrate a commitment to democracy and the fight against destructive influences in the region.

Ukrainians in Lebanon

Minister Sibina also held a separate meeting with the Ukrainian community. He expressed gratitude to the Ukrainians of Lebanon for preserving Ukrainian identity and culture, defending the positions of the state, and their proactive and strong voice.

The minister supported the society's initiative to create a Ukrainian cultural center in Lebanon and gave appropriate instructions for its speedy launch.

“We are ready to deepen Ukrainian-Lebanese relations, develop political and economic cooperation, and strengthen interpersonal ties,” the minister said following the visit.

If you want to learn more about Ukrainian diplomacy, read the materials on our website NAnews – Israel News.

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