The head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, called for an immediate ceasefire in the war between Israel and the Lebanese Hezbollah movement during his visit to Beirut on Sunday. He claims that Lebanon is on the verge of collapse. TASR informs about it according to the report of the AFP agency.
Since September, Israel has intensified air attacks on Lebanon and sent its ground troops there as well. This was preceded by almost daily cross-border firefights with Hezbollah, which began after the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip in October 2023.
“We see only one way out: an immediate cease-fire and the full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 1701,” Borrell said after meeting with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Barri, an ally of Hezbollah who is helping to broker a cease-fire on behalf of the group.
Resolutions of the UN Security Council in 2006 ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel. It stipulated that Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers should be the only armed forces in the south of the country, where Hezbollah militants have influence. Based on the resolution, Israel should withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
“I arrived in September and I still hoped that we would be able to prevent the outbreak of a war in which Israel would attack Lebanon,” said the head of European diplomacy. “Two months later, Lebanon is on the verge of collapse,” he added.
The head of European diplomacy is ready to provide 200 million euros
Borrell announced that the European Union is ready to provide 200 million euros for the Lebanese army, whose deployment in greater numbers along the border is a key point in the ceasefire negotiations.
France and the United States are also trying to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon. Last week, the US submitted a ceasefire proposal to the Lebanese government. US Ambassador Amos Hochstein visited Israel and Lebanon this week to discuss with their officials this proposed ceasefire based on the implementation of the resolution, the UNSC reminds AFP.
Hezbollah leader Naim Qasim said on Wednesday that his group will not accept any truce with Israel that violates Lebanese sovereignty. According to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, any ceasefire agreement must ensure Israel “freedom to act” against Hezbollah militants.
“We need to pressure the Israeli government and continue to pressure Hezbollah to accept the US ceasefire proposal,” Borrell added.
