Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, on Friday welcomed at the Second Presidency in Ain El-Tineh, French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, in the presence of French Ambassador to Lebanon Anne Grillo, and an accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, Speaker Berri thanked France for its role in helping Lebanon overcome its crises, especially since French President Emmanuel Macron's first visit to Lebanon, and for the role it has also played with regard to the demarcation of the southern Lebanese maritime borders.

The Second Presidency’s press office stated that "the visit was also an occasion to discuss issues related to the presidential election, the government situation, the economic reality, and the Parliament’s accomplished laws and legislation that fall within the context of implementing the reforms required by the International Monetary Fund."

On the other hand, Speaker Berri received Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon Stefanie McCollum, who paid him a protocol visit upon assuming her new diplomatic duties in the country.

Discussions between the pair reportedly touched on the current general situation and the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Berri also received Caretaker Minister of Interior and Municipalities, Judge Bassam Mawlawi, and they discussed the general conditions in the country, especially the security ones.

Berri also discussed the country’s security situation with Army Intelligence Director, Brigadier General Tony Kahwaji.

On the other hand, Berri received a congratulatory cable from the Speaker of the People's Assembly of Syria Hammouda al-Sabbagh, on the occasion of the Prophet's birthday.

Moreover, Berri cabled President of the Republic of Iraq Abdul Latif Rashid, congratulating him on his election and wishing him success in his new constitutional duties.

In his cable, Berri said he looks forward to establishing further fraternal relations, cooperation and coordination between Lebanon and Iraq in the various fields in the interest of the two brotherly countries and peoples.

Berri also cabled Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Shia' Sabbar al-Sudani, congratulating him on his designation to form the next Iraqi government.

For the same purpose, Berri cabled Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed Halbousi, congratulating him on the Iraqi Parliament’s completion of the presidential elections, wishing Iraq continued security, stability, progress and prosperity.