Leaders of nine southern European Union countries have expressed support for Lebanon’s armed forces as they work to control the volatile area in the country’s south. The MED9 group, consisting of Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Portugal, and Croatia, aims to help stabilize the region and prevent further escalation of the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of a ceasefire and the return of Lebanese armed forces to South Lebanon for peace and stability.
Recent weeks have seen a significant increase in violence between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides engaging in cross-border fire and displacing tens of thousands of people. The EU leaders’ support for Lebanon’s armed forces comes amidst discussions on reducing tensions in the region, with a focus on getting Hezbollah to move forces away from Israel’s northern border.
Additionally, the leaders discussed irregular migration, emphasizing the need to address the issue at its source in order to prevent further destabilization in the region. They also condemned Israel’s targeting of UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon, with calls for a suspension of weapons deliveries as a means to de-escalate conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.
The upcoming conference in Paris on October 24 aims to increase aid deliveries to Lebanon to address the humanitarian crisis and strengthen the country’s military and internal security forces. The leaders are also exploring ways to assist Lebanon’s army to move into the conflict-ridden south.
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