"We will treat countries with respect and trust without getting into any dilemmas or conflicts. Lebanon follows a non-intervention policy based on mutual respect and Lebanon’s independence," Mansour said during an interview at his residence.

Mansour was appointed Monday to head Lebanon's Foreign Ministry, at a time when the international community is set to determine its relationship with Lebanon based on the new Cabinet’s ministerial statement or actions.

Mansour assured the international community that Lebanon is keen to establish the best diplomatic, political and economic ties with all countries "especially its neighboring ones."

"We will not get involved in any conflicts, but we will cooperate with the East and West with international and Arab countries, keeping in mind Lebanon’s national rights," Mansour said.

Aside from presenting Lebanon as a friendly, cooperative country, Mansour said the main concern of the ministry was the status of Lebanese expatriates, who are estimated to number three times Lebanon’s population.

“We should give priority to those expatriates not only through diplomatic visits but also through presenting a well thought out plan for the future so we could see how Lebanese can benefit from Lebanon and vice versa because Lebanese outside of Lebanon have resources, high political positions, economic and social posts,” Mansour said.

Mansour, 65, was born in Bourj al-Barajneh and began his diplomatic work in 1974 until he retired in 2010. He was consul to various countries including Egypt, Athens, Australia, and Oman and served as Lebanon's Ambassador to Iran for eight years. He also was a member of Lebanon's United Nations delegation.

Mansour considers the new Cabinet as a national salvation government that should prove it is capable of running the country.

“This is a salvation government; [to] save Lebanon … what we are expecting from this government is to convince the Lebanese citizens [of this Cabinet] is for work and only work,” Mansour said, adding that it had become unacceptable for Lebanon to remain without a functioning Cabinet.

Despite Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan’s withdrawal from Mikati’s Cabinet, an event that Mansour declined to comment on, the new foreign minister seemed certain that the lineup will receive the Parliament’s vote of confidence.

“The government will present an agenda and the Parliament, which represents the people, will give it the vote of confidence,” he said, adding that Lebanon’s internal issues would top Mikati’s agenda.

“I think the domestic situation is this government’s number one priority including the economic, social and security conditions. We have to ensure security and stability for the country. Given what is going on around us, we are more inclined to preserve security and stability in the country,” Mansour said.