Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Gebran Bassil (left) and OPCW Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of Lebanon, H.E. Mr. Gebran Bassil, visited the OPCW today and met with the Director-General, Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü. This was the first ever visit to the OPCW by a Lebanese Foreign Minister.
The Director-General and the Minister discussed a broad range of issues relating to implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Ambassador Üzümcü commended Lebanon for its role in the mission to eliminate Syrian chemical weapons.
“The Lebanese Government has been a vital partner in support of activities in Syria, especially in facilitating a wide range of logistical arrangements,” said the Director-General.
Minister Bassil said, “Lebanon has been proud to be a part of this extraordinary international mission, which has delivered clear security benefits to the region.”
The Minister and the Director-General also discussed ways of achieving universal adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention, with a focus on the Middle East region. The Minister stressed the need to have a Middle East free of all forms of weapons of mass destruction.
Minister Bassil congratulated the OPCW on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. He also reiterated Lebanon’s ongoing commitment to the Chemical Weapons Convention and support for the work of the OPCW.