Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant to travel to France and Lebanon to discuss situation in Middle East

February 3, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will visit Paris, France from February 3 and 4, 2025, and Beirut, Lebanon from February 5 to 6, 2025.

In Paris, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will meet with senior government

officials and stakeholders to exchange views on the evolving situation in the Middle East. The Parliamentary Secretary will reaffirm the importance of pursuing a diplomatic solution on the full implementation of the terms and conditions of the ceasefire in Gaza and reiterate the need for all parties to fulfill their commitments and fully implement the ceasefire in Lebanon. He will also underscore Canada’s commitment to collaborating with international partners to support an inclusive political process in Syria to ensure lasting peace and stability.

In Beirut, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will engage in discussions with senior government officials on the forming of a new government that will deliver on the aspirations of the Lebanese people. Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant will also discuss strategies to enhance support for Lebanon’s institutions, including the Lebanese Armed Forces and the United Nations Interim Force (UNIFIL) in Lebanon, which play crucial roles in ensuring the country’s internal stability.

Quotes

After more than a year of devastating conflict and immense suffering across the Middle East, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment for the people of Lebanon, Syria and the wider region. France is one of Canada’s closest allies and partners, and a key player in the Middle East. I look forward to engaging with partners and coordinating efforts to support Lebanon’s new government, once it is formed, and advance a Syrian-led, Syrian-owned transitional process.

- Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs 

Quick facts

• On January 13, 2025, Canada announced $17.25 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address urgent needs of the people in Syria. The funding will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners and help provide clean water and food; protection services, including for the prevention and mitigation of and response to gender-based violence; sanitation and hygiene services; and health services.

• In 2024, Canada provided nearly $50 million in funding for humanitarian assistance in Syria.

• In 2024, Canada provided $42.1 million in funding for humanitarian assistance in Lebanon.

• On November 29, 2024, Canada announced $50 million in funding for humanitarian assistance to address the acute needs of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This funding will help provide emergency medical assistance, food, water, protection services and other life-saving assistance. It will be delivered through experienced and trusted UN, Red Cross and NGO partners that have the necessary operational capacity on the ground to respond.

• Since 2016, Canada has committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and the other countries (Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon) hosting refugee populations in the region. This funding includes significant humanitarian, development and stabilization assistance.