President Michel Aoun expressed Lebanon's gratitude for the support it constantly receives from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, looking forward to its continuation, especially in the difficult circumstances it is going through.

The President received the Secretary-General of the Union, Mr. Jagan Chapagain, today at Baabda Palace.

President Aoun stressed that the presence of the Union's regional office covering the countries of the Middle East and North Africa in Beirut is evidence of the union's confidence in Lebanon and its role in its surroundings and the world. President Aoun also indicated that the services provided by the union, especially after the explosion in the port of Beirut, had a great impact on the souls of the Lebanese in general, especially the afflicted among them, especially in terms of participating in immediate relief work, helping 9800 affected families and providing food and material aid, as well as psychological support. 

In addition, President Aoun thanked the Union's assistance in combating the Corona pandemic, praising the coordination between the Union and the Lebanese Red Cross Society.

Then, President Aoun raised the issue of the Syrian refugees and its repercussions on all Lebanese sectors, calling for Lebanon's support in its demand to return the displaced to their country within the framework of a safe return, especially to areas that no longer witness military operations. The President pointed out that the displacement of large numbers of Syrians has worsened the economic and social conditions in the country, which makes it impossible to continue this reality.

For his part, Mr. Chabagin had expressed his happiness for his presence in Beirut and his meeting with the President of the Republic, stressing the continuation of support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Red Cross Society headed by Dr. Antoine Zoghbi, who attended the meeting and the Society’s Secretary-General, George Kattani. Chabagin praised the permanent coordination between the Federation and the Society, noting what the Lebanese Red Cross is doing in various fields.

“The Union will continue to provide aid to Lebanon in the health and social fields, with the aim of alleviating the difficult effects left by the events, especially after the explosion of the Port of Beirut and the spread of the Corona pandemic” Mr. Chabagin said.

The Secretary-General of the Union was accompanied on his visit by the Legal Adviser, Ms. Victoria Stoddart, Financial Director of the Middle East and North Africa region in the Union, Dr. Hossam Al-Sharqawi, and Director of the Lebanon Office of the Union, Mr. Christian Cortez Cardoza, in addition to Dr. Zoghbi.

President Aoun telegraphed to both Iraqi President, Barham Salih, and Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, thanking them for the Iraqi government’s decision to double the amount of oil it approved for Lebanon from 500 thousand tons to one million tons annually to help Lebanon overcome the difficult conditions it is going through.

President Aoun considered that “It is not strange that the State of Iraq always stands by our country, in the various circumstances and tribulations it has gone through. 

Your country's initiative comes today, in very delicate and difficult economic and life conditions for our people, and we are in great need of the support from our brothers and friends, so that we can address the deterioration of living and human conditions, and start the stage of recovery”.