National Defense Minister, Maurice Sleem, on Friday received in his office at the Ministry, Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Rebekah Grindlay, who paid him a farewell visit marking the end of her diplomatic mission in Lebanon.

The meeting highlighted the importance of bolstering the existing military cooperation between the two countries.

The Australian Ambassador was accompanied by the Embassy’s Military Attaché, who briefed the Minister on the aid provided to the Lebanese army and future cooperation steps.

Minister Sleem also met with the Malaysian Ambassador to Lebanon, Azri Mat Yacob, who expressed “his country’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Lebanon.”

During the meeting, discussions touched on the aid that Malaysia intends to provide and on the effective participation of the Malaysian Contingent within UNIFIL forces operating in southern Lebanon.

On the other hand, the Minister met with Armenian Ambassador to Lebanon, Vahagn Atabekian, accompanied by the Embassy’s Military Attaché.

Ambassador Atabekian handed Minister Sleem an invitation from his Armenian counterpart, Suren Papikyan, to participate in the 3rd International Conference and Exhibition on Defense and Technology, to be held next March 31 in the Armenian capital to present the latest technical developments in the military and security fields.

Discussions also touched on cooperation between the two countries and Armenia’s participation within the framework of UNIFIL.