President of the National Dialogue Party, MP Fouad Makhzoumi, received Belgium’s newly appointed Ambassador to Lebanon, Arnout Pauwels, at his office in downtown Beirut, in the presence of political adviser Carol Zouein. They discussed regional and international developments in light of the war in the Gaza Strip and the latest developments in southern Lebanon.

Following the meeting, Makhzoumi said the visit was an opportunity to become acquainted and congratulate the ambassador on assuming his new duties in Beirut. He stressed the importance of strengthening Lebanese-Belgian relations across various fields.

Makhzoumi reiterated the need to end the ongoing war in southern Lebanon and for both parties to fully implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, in order to prevent the war from escalating and spreading to other parts of Lebanese territory. He emphasized that no one wants this war, whose consequences would be devastating for the country and its people.

Makhzoumi and the ambassador also discussed the presidential election, with Makhzoumi stressing the need to elect a President of the Republic as soon as possible to restore the proper functioning of the state, reactivate its institutions, form a government, and implement reforms, which he described as the cornerstone of efforts to lift Lebanon out of its economic and social crises.