Matthew Dannoun

NNA – Lebanon’s Army Commander General Rodolph Haykal, on Friday received at his Yarzeh office, the European Union Special Representative for Human Rights Kajsa Ollongren, and the European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, with an accompanying delegation. Maj. Gen. Haykal also received Egyptian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alaa Moussa. The discussions reportedly focused on the general situation in Lebanon and the broad region. Source: NNA

Lebanon’s Information Minister Paul Morcos said relations between Beirut and Damascus are entering a “new and promising phase,” with both sides pursuing efforts to handle unresolved issues through official channels and joint committees. Speaking to the National News Agency, Morcos said the government is “turning a new page” with Syria and working to address pending issues. He added that he has formally requested the inclusion of the case of Lebanese photographer Samir Kassab—kidnapped in Syria in 2013—on the agenda of the Lebanese-Syrian joint committee. Kassab, a photojournalist with Sky News Arabia, was abducted by ISIS along with his Mauritanian colleague Ishaq Mokhtar near the town of Andan in northern Aleppo province on Oct. 13, 2013. Relations between Lebanon and Syria have seen renewed diplomatic engagement in recent months, marked by a series of high-level visits aimed at strengthening cooperation and rebuilding bilateral ties. Source: NNA and SANA