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.