The Cradle
Canadian Secretary of State for International Development Randeep Sarai condemned what he described as Israel’s “unlawful invasion” of Lebanon, saying the country should have full control over its territory and sovereignty.
Sarai made the remarks during a visit to Lebanon, where he announced new humanitarian assistance for the country.
“We have been working actively, I think, through diplomatic channels to do whatever possible to stop that and to allow Lebanese communities that are from those areas to be able to move back,” Sarai said in an interview with The Associated Press late on Tuesday.
During his visit, Sarai announced three new Canadian programs aimed at supporting vulnerable families and women in Lebanon, bringing Canada’s total assistance to the country this year to more than $50.23 million.
“Our commitment is long-term, and we’re there for Lebanon,” Sarai said after visiting shelters housing people displaced by the war and Syrian refugees.
Sarai also met with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, who both assumed office last year pledging to restore state authority across Lebanon and implement reforms aimed at tackling corruption.
“There’s a lot of optimism and I hope Lebanon will be able to deliver on these,” Sarai said of the promised reforms. “The world is really watching and supportive of this government, and optimistic that they will achieve those goals.”
Sarai also said Canada was working to help establish safe conditions in Syria, including access to food, clean water and schools, to enable more refugees to return.
“We’ll do whatever we can to make sure that environment is safe when they do decide to go back,” he said.
The Most Revolutionary Act 