At a conference in Paris, global authorities secured $1 billion, intent on relieving Lebanon’s ongoing humanitarian disaster and bolstering its military. France’s Foreign Secretary Jean-Noel Barrot stressed at the event the need for Israel to pause its military activities and move towards diplomatic solutions.
In total, about 70 government representatives and 15 international groups participated in the conference with the purpose of aiding Lebanon. However, the restrained participation of the US and its forthcoming election sequence cast a shadow over swift cease-fire hopes.
Barrot stressed the clear message for Israel: it’s time to stop hostilities. Furthermore, he reaffirmed that a French-American cessation of hostility proposition is still awaiting acceptance.
Barrot disclosed that they have managed to accumulate in excess of $800 million, majorly devoted to assisting up to a million displaced individuals with vital life requirements such as food, medical services, and education. This includes a considerable $300 million donation from Washington.
For the maintenance of internal stability, which is crucial for the implementation of the 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701 requiring southern Lebanon to be rid of all troops and weapons exclusive to the Lebanese state, an additional $200 million has been allotted for the Lebanese Armed Forces (Laf).
France, having historic connections with Lebanon, has partnered with Washington to establish a ceasefire, notwithstanding the discord between both allies regarding the resolution approach.
Paris’s influence has diminished following Israel’s refusal of a 21-day ceasefire proposal last September as Israel, backed by Iran, escalated its large-scale assault on Hizbullah, resulting in over 2,500 casualties and the displacement of approximately 1.2 million people.
Lebanon’s interim head of government, Najib Mikati, appealed to conference representatives for increased pressure on Israel. In commencement of the conference, President of France Emmanuel Macron emphasised the importance of avoiding repetitive cycles of conflict, stating that further destruction or casualties will not conclude the prevailing terrorism or achieve universal security.
Despite continuous appeals for an end to hostilities, the conflict showed no signs of easing on Thursday, according to recent reports. The Lebanese military confirmed the loss of three soldiers following an Israeli strike close to the border.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, bypassed Paris during his Middle East tour and seemed to achieve little in his final bid for peace prior to the upcoming US election next month.
The UN Security Council resolution has yet to be fully executed. In the wake of a two-year political power void and a crumbled economy, the Lebanese military has found itself unable to exert significant influence in the country’s southern regions.
A representative from Italy’s diplomatic corps highlighted the ultimate goal of enlisting, preparing, and supplying 6,000 fresh Laf members, further mentioning that a conference spearheaded by Rome to discuss this matter would soon be organised.
Italy currently contributes approximately 1,000 soldiers towards the 10,000-member strong Unifil peacekeeping mission active in Lebanon.
Once an in-place ceasefire comes to fruition, diplomats have suggested the need to strengthen the currently established mission. EU foreign policy head, Josep Borrell emphasised the importance of improving on the foundation already laid, as opposed to starting from scratch. Borrell added that changes to its remit would necessitate a fresh Security Council vote.
Borrell also suggested that it would be feasible to up the number of Unifil soldiers to 15,000 under the existing mandate, as reported by Reuters.