In a speech at the 79th UN General Assembly, Caretaker Foreign Minister, Abdallah Bou Habib, congratulated the newly elected president of the Assembly, expressing full support for the theme ‘Unity in Diversity’ aimed at promoting peace, sustainable development, and human dignity.

Bou Habib emphasized that Lebanon was currently facing a crisis threatening its existence and future, necessitating urgent international intervention to prevent further regional instability.

Moreover, the Foreign Minister welcomed a recent joint statement from the U.S. and France aimed at achieving long-term calm and stability, urging prompt action for its implementation.

Bou Habib further pointed out that the current situation in Lebanon stemmed from the absence of sustainable solutions, directly attributing the ongoing issues to occupation, insisting that ending the occupation is crucial for regional stability.

Despite Lebanon’s dire circumstances, the Foreign Minister affirmed the country’s commitment to international legitim
acy and highlighted Lebanon’s role in shaping human rights laws. He expressed disappointment at the UN’s inability to protect Lebanon from Israeli aggression but reiterated the country’s reliance on the organization as a defender against occupation and violence.

Furthermore, Bou Habib called for a political dialogue rather than armed conflict to resolve disputes, citing Lebanon’s successful negotiation of maritime boundaries with Israel as an example of its commitment to peaceful resolutions. He urged the UN to fulfill its role as a sanctuary for peace-loving nations facing aggression.

Highlighting the pressing need for international support, Bou Habib mentioned Lebanon’s decision to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers for deployment in southern Lebanon, underscoring the government’s determination to uphold UN Resolution 1701, which has been crucial for maintaining relative stability since 2006.

As the minister wrapped up his remarks, he reiterated the importance of the international community’s role in upho
lding Resolution 1701, emphasizing that its full implementation is vital for regional security.

Bou Habib vehemently condemned the continuous Israeli aggression and called for a comprehensive ceasefire, urging Israel to genuinely pursue peace instead of war.

In closing, Bou Habib stressed that diplomatic solutions were the only path forward and expressed hope that the U.S.-French initiative could provide a breakthrough in addressing the crisis, affirming Lebanon’s commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution.

Source: National news agency – Lebanon