The following is a press statement by High Representative Josep Borrell after the extraordinary meeting with EU Foreign Ministers:

“Good evening, good evening to Brussels from Mexico.

This is a moment of truth with Lebanon. Certainly, it is a moment of truth where this country – caught in the middle of a war – and the European Union has to, collectively, commit to preserve its state’s institutions from the risk of collapsing.

That is why I called for this extraordinary Informal Meeting of the European Union Foreign Ministers, to discuss the worsening of the situation in Lebanon and to stress the continued leadership of the European Union to look for a political solution and to prevent further militarisation and deepening of the conflict.

The European Union has continuously been pushing for opening the door to a diplomatic solution; for an immediate ceasefire; for the deployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces; for electing a President in Lebanon; for forming a government; and ensuring that the [UN Security C
ouncil] Resolution 1701 will be fully implemented.

As I said, that is why I decided to call for an informal meeting of our Ministers, because of the massive Israeli strikes on Beirut and all over Lebanon since last Friday; the consequences are very much important.

Certainly, they were targeting Hezbollah leaders, but obviously they also represent a violation of the sovereignty of an independent country. The high number of casualties cannot be forgotten.

The issue of the right to self-defence of Israel, according with humanitarian law, and international humanitarian law has to be taken into consideration.

So, I will read the Declaration. This Council has been called taking into account the event of the last weekend and the fact that, according to Lebanese authorities, already one million people are internally displaced – many starting to try to go to Syria.

It is obvious that, as many members have stressed during our meeting, that it [this situation] started by Hezbollah’s attacks to the border following
the 7th of October. Terrorist attacks against the Israeli Defence Forces in Gaza. Israel has the right to defend [itself], but also taking into account the limits of international humanitarian law.

That has been creating such a big number of displaced people in the south of the border. Israeli people that have had to leave their houses immediately after Hezbollah’s attacks. Now, this massive displacement of Lebanese people in the North – which obviously increases the needs of humanitarian support, in the region, and beyond.

The international assistance needs are increasing. As you know, President [of the European Commission, Ursula] von der Leyen already announced pound 1 billion support to Lebanon.

pound 500 million have been committed in August. An additional emergency measure of pound 10 million has been announced yesterday by my colleague, Commissioner [Janez] Lenarcic, in charge of humanitarian assistance.

In parallel, we – on our side, on the side of the European Peace Facility – have adopted a new
assistance of pound 15 million for 2024. But, in view of the current circumstances additional European Union support is being considered.

The European Union renews its call for an immediate ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, and for both parties to commit to the full and symmetrical implementation of United Nations Security Council resolution [1701], so as to ensure the safe return of displaced populations on both sides as part of a broader negotiated settlement.

We have already made reference to the many civilian casualties in Lebanon, the destruction of civilian infrastructure with its long-term implications, and this high number of internally displaced persons. Once again, I urge the respect of International Humanitarian Law in all circumstances.

Arms should now be silenced, and the voice of diplomacy should speak and be heard by all. Hezbollah’s firing of rockets and other projectiles into Israeli territory since 8thOctober has to stop. The sovereignty of both Israel and Lebanon has to be guarante
ed.

Any further military intervention would dramatically aggravate the situation and it has to be avoided. We are very much concerned about the risk of this further escalation of the conflict across the region, and urge for parties in the region to show restraint in the interest of de-escalation.

We have been talking about how to mobilise our humanitarian support. I mentioned the figures – additional support has to be considered in view of the current circumstances. Consular coordination between the European Union Member States and with other associated countries is being exercised in real time to ensure our preparedness to any emergency situation.

More than ever, the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) are called to play a critical role as guarantor of both domestic and regional stability. The state requires the capacity to have the monopoly on the use of violence – this is very far away from what is happening right now in Lebanon. The Lebanese Armed Forces, which are the core of the Lebanese society and statehoo
d have to continue playing a critical role. For that, they need our support.

We have adopted a new assistance measure to empower the Lebanese Armed Forces on the 23 September and we are ready to increase its support in view of the evolving situation. We call [on] all partners of Lebanon to contribute to strengthening of the Lebanese Armed Forces, and we are ready to coordinate and facilitate international efforts as appropriate.

In the current situation of emergency, the United Nations mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) also assumes a fundamental stabilisation role. The safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers is paramount; we call on all parties to protect and support the important mission of UNIFIL.

The European Union and its Member states are ready to build on their steady support to UNIFIL to facilitate the accomplishment of its mission, and to strengthen its role in the framework of United Nations Security Council resolutions – as it could not be otherwise. Member States call also for an urgent mee
ting of the Security Council, and we will deploy all diplomatic efforts in order to push for a ceasefire.

At this hour of need, all Lebanese leaders should now put national interests first and work together to restore the functioning of Lebanon’s state institutions, notably by electing a President and forming a fully-fledged government – as I said at the beginning of my intervention.

We stands ready to assist Lebanon in the consolidation of its state institutions and in undertaking the steps needed for its recovery.

That is what today the Member States have been discussing in this extraordinary Council held by videoconference.

I thank all of you for your attention.”

Source: National News Agency – Lebanon