Beirut: Lebanese Defense Minister General Michel Mansi met Wednesday with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense and Foreign Affairs Simon Harris, currently visiting Beirut.

According to Qatar News Agency, the meeting centered on Lebanon’s security challenges, particularly the ongoing Israeli occupation aggressions. Discussions emphasized the importance of coordination between the Lebanese Army and the Irish unit operating within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Harris reaffirmed Ireland’s steadfast commitment to supporting Lebanon’s security and stability.

Later, Mansi met with UNIFIL Commander Major General Aroldo Lazaro. During their discussion, Mansi stressed the need for continued coordination between the Lebanese Army and UNIFIL and underscored the importance of pressuring Israel to withdraw from the five positions it still occupies in southern Lebanon.

For his part, Lazaro highlighted UNIFIL’s efforts to enhance its technical capabilities to address upcoming challenges, expressing readiness to assist the Lebanese Army in deployment efforts and clearing unexploded ordnance.