The international conference to support Lebanon was launched in Paris, Thursday, with French President Emmanuel Macron announcing humanitarian aid to Lebanon worth 100 million euros, while Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that his country depends on the international community to end the war.
The French President, whose country is hosting an international conference to mobilize aid for Lebanon, said that Hezbollah in Lebanon must stop its operations and target what is beyond the Blue Line, pointing out that “the Paris conference will provide basic supplies to the Lebanese army and support the recruitment of an additional 6,000 individuals.”
Macron added that Paris will also provide humanitarian aid to Lebanon worth 100 million euros, stressing the need for Israel and Lebanon to respect UN Resolution 1701, in order to lay the foundations for building peace in the Middle East.
In turn, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his concern for “the safety of civilians on both sides of the Blue Line,” warning that “Israel continues its violent bombing of populated areas in Lebanon.”
He stressed that “Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected and civilians must be protected, and I call on Lebanon’s leaders to ensure the effectiveness of institutions, especially the army,” adding: “Targeting UNIFIL forces in Lebanon may constitute a war crime.”
For his part, caretaker Prime Minister in Lebanon, Najib Mikati, confirmed that the ceasefire in Lebanon “will open the door to a diplomatic path that will be fully supported by the government. This path aims to address security concerns along the southern border as well as conflicts along the Blue Line.”
He said, “The Israeli aggression against Lebanon led to the displacement of 1.4 million people, and the Israeli attacks caused destruction and displacement that led to a humanitarian crisis that requires immediate attention from the international community,” calling for “an immediate ceasefire that allows for diplomatic action to address the situation along the border.” “.
He continued: “Our commitment to increasing the number of soldiers in the army in accordance with Resolution 1701 is evidence of our commitment to this UN resolution,” calling on the international community to “hold accountable everyone responsible for violating international humanitarian law.”
He continued: “We support the UNIFIL forces and the importance of their role in achieving stability, and we renew our commitment to cooperate with them,” pointing out that “stability is achieved through an immediate ceasefire, the implementation of Resolution 1701, and addressing conflicts along the Blue Line.”
He added: “United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 1701 in its current form remains the cornerstone of stability and security in southern Lebanon, and the full and immediate implementation of this resolution by Lebanon and Israel would preserve Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
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