Lebanese Ambassador Simon Karam visits Vatican to brief officials on negotiations

Ambassador Simon Karam is traveling to the Vatican to establish a direct and regular line of communication with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State. This mission follows a recent visit by President Joseph Aoun to the Holy See.

The primary objective of the visit is to brief Vatican officials on the details of the ongoing negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, including the progress and obstacles regarding the tripartite framework related to the southern border. Official sources clarify that Lebanon is not requesting the Vatican to act as a mediator in these negotiations, nor is the mission seeking a replacement for UNIFIL.

Instead, the goal is to ensure the Vatican remains informed of the specific developments and the reality of the negotiating process. This coordination aims to leverage the Vatican’s international diplomatic network, particularly its influence with major powers like the United States, to ensure Lebanon’s position is accurately understood within global diplomatic circles.