Southern Lebanon has become a flashpoint as violence between Israel and Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, with daily cross-border fire and strikes in Beirut. In response, leaders of nine southern European Union countries, known as the MED9 group, have pledged support for Lebanon’s armed forces to restore peace in the region.
French President Macron emphasized the importance of Lebanese armed forces returning to southern Lebanon to reassert control and sovereignty. A conference in Paris on October 24 will focus on aiding Lebanon during a humanitarian crisis and strengthening its military and security forces.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Blinken has discussed the possibility of a new Lebanese president reducing tensions by moving Hezbollah forces away from Israel’s border. The leaders also condemned Israel’s targeting of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon and called for a suspension of weapons deliveries to Israel to de-escalate the conflict.
The leaders also addressed irregular migration, highlighting the need to address the root causes in migrants’ countries of origin. They plan to collaborate with the United Nations refugee agency to create conditions that would allow Syrian refugees to return home safely.
As tensions rise and violence continues, international support for Lebanon is crucial in order to bring stability to the region and prevent further displacement and casualties on both sides of the border.
Source
Photo credit www.euronews.com