NNA - Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants on Tuesday issued a clarifying statement in response to an article published by "Al-Akhbar" titled "Lebanese Disregard for China." The ministry outlined the following points:

1. The Arab-Chinese ministerial meeting coincided with the Brussels 8 Conference on Displaced Persons, where Foreign Minister Dr. Abdallah Bou Habib represented Lebanon on behalf of Prime Minister Najib Mikati. Lebanon prioritizes the issue of displacement and the need to convey its unified stance to the international community.

2. Minister Bou Habib is currently engaged in meetings in Brussels. He is scheduled to meet with the Belgian Foreign Minister, the Minister of Development Cooperation, and other officials tomorrow. Subsequently, he will travel to Paris for pre-scheduled meetings concerning Syrian displacement and other matters of mutual interest to Lebanon and France.

3. Minister Bou Habib has communicated through diplomatic channels to the Chinese side the scheduling conflict, which the Chinese have understood and accepted.

4. The Chinese side has already been informed of Minister Bou Habib's intention to make an official visit to China, with the exact dates to be coordinated based on both parties' schedules.

==========R.H.