EU Urged to Leverage Hezbollah’s Weakness to Secure Ceasefire in Lebanon

The EU should seize the Hezbollah weakness for political reforms in Lebanon and press the group for a ceasefire with Israel, says EU foreign policy chief. According to Josep Borrell the High Representative for Foreign Affairs in the European union, political structures in Lebanon need to be worked out thus solving the existing internal conflicts.
Speaking to the European Parliament Borrell stressed that the only long-term scenario in Lebanon is the political one. He also underlined the need to take advantage of the weakened situation in Hezbollah to support institutions in Lebanon and cease the fighting in the area. “If the political players in Lebanon do not commit to change, there is no remedy for Lebanon,” Borrell pointed out.
Open warfare between Syria and Lebanon-based Hezbollah, backed by Iran and listed by the EU as a terrorist group, and Israel has stepped up since late September. It became worse after the Israeli war against Hamas in Gaza initiated by a severe attack on Israel in the month of October 2023. There have been numerous losses on both sides, while Hezbollah’s leaders such as Hassan Nasrallah have been allegedly killed, more than a fifth of Lebanon’s population has been forced out of their homes. There are reports that up to 2000 people have been killed in the conflict going on in Lebanon.
Borrell laid out four key actions for ensuring Lebanon’s stability: the end of the presidency election, which has been held for two years; higher EU funding for the Lebanese army; more frequent UN patrols on the Lebanese-Israeli border; and more human and financial assistance. He also urged the EU to provide a €1 billion aid money to Lebanon that the European Union pledged earlier and supported an initiative of the French president to convene a humanitarian summit in this September.
He was dissatisfied with what the Israeli military has been doing, saying that the military approach would not help resolve the chronic problems in the Middle East. It could instead continue to endanger the stability of the region and prop up the influence of Hezbollah.
Borrell ended up emphasizing that the political leaders of Lebanon must assume the future of this country, as it will not be possible without them, no other country has a solution. He also accused the Israelis of striking civilian facilities and expressed worry over the actions of settlers in the West Bank.

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