The Minister for Defence alongside the Lebanese ambassador, Hani Chemaitelly (Rubén Somonte)
The Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles, has insisted that after the agreement on a provisional ceasefire in the Middle East, diplomacy must continue working to achieve a definitive plan that also includes Lebanon, a country to which the Government of Spain will remain "firmly committed".
During a meeting with the Lebanese ambassador, Hani Chemaitelly, both highlighted the excellent work and the commitment of the Spanish military deployed in the country as part of the UN peacekeeping mission, in a situation as difficult as the current one, which means that they must stay bunkered for many hours.
The minister described as "positive" the news that the US and Iran had reached a two-week ceasefire agreement in the last few hours, but expressed concern that Israel had disagreed on including Lebanon.
"Today is a very special day to call for and demand that the ceasefire that has been reached, which is provisional, be extended to Lebanon. The international community cannot accept pronouncements that leave Lebanon out of this negotiation situation," said the minister after the meeting, held at the Lebanese embassy in Spain, which was also attended by the Secretary General for Defence Policy, Admiral Juan Francisco Martínez Núñez.
For his part, the ambassador expressed his enormous gratitude for Spain's constant support, and both he and the minister praised the work of the 700 Spanish troops in Lebanon, in a mission in which the Armed Forces have been taking part for two decades.
"In these critical moments, the minister has once again expressed Spain's full commitment to the security and stability of Lebanon. We appreciate this present and permanent support from the Government of Spain, and we hope that during the next few days this support will bring fruitful results," the diplomat said.
Afterwards, the Minister for Defence went to the Indonesian embassy in Spain, where she held a meeting with the ambassador, Muhammad Najib, to whom she conveyed her condolences for the recent deaths of three Indonesian soldiers in the line of duty while working in Lebanon. Indonesian military personnel are under Spanish command in the FINUL mission.
In this regard, Robles insisted that Israel and Hezbollah must cease attacks against UNIFIL forces, a total of 10,000 Blue Helmets, who work for peace and stability in the region.
Non official translation