U.N. Chief Arrives in Lebanon for Several-Day Visit

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres arrived Sunday in Beirut on an official visit that will last until Wednesday.

He was welcomed at the airport by Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib, the permanent Lebanese envoy to the U.N. Amal Mudallali and the U.N. Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Joanna Wronecka.

“At this challenging time for Lebanon, this will be a visit of solidarity during which the Secretary-General will reaffirm the support of the entire U.N. family – from our political teams and peacekeepers to our humanitarian aid workers and development professionals – for the country and its people,” the U.N. said in a statement.

The Secretary-General will meet with President Michel Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Najib Miqati, as well as a number of religious leaders and civil society representatives.  

He will also pay tribute to the victims of the Beirut Port blast and will also undertake field visits to interact with people impacted by the numerous crises the country has been facing.

Finally, the Secretary-General will travel to southern Lebanon to visit the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and tour parts of the Blue Line.