Determined to continue supporting Lebanon, which since mid-December has a new government of national unity (see EUROPE 11696), the EU called on regional partners and international community, on Monday 16 January, to strengthen their support to the new Lebanese authorities.
In the conclusions they adopted, the EU's foreign affairs ministers welcomed the formation of this new government and its ambition to re-establish trust. In this regard, the EU "calls on Lebanon to hold timely legislative elections in 2017 and ensure a smooth and transparent process, to uphold Lebanon's longstanding democratic tradition", the foreign ministers stated. The EU says it is ready to support this electoral process.
Hailing the fact that the new government has confirmed its partnership with the EU, the EU foreign ministers said that the EU is determined to help Lebanon address the challenges it faces, especially the migration crisis. Lebanon is currently hosting over 1.1 million refugees. The EU ministers also underlined the EU's full support for the efforts of the Lebanese authorities and institutions that are responsible for the country's security to fight against terrorism and prevent radicalisation. They added that the EU was "determined to continue to reinforce" its cooperation in all these areas, as it is its support to the Lebanese armed forces. The ministers also hailed the role played by the Lebanese armed forces and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNFIL) for maintaining peace and stability in the south of the country.
In addition, the ministers welcomed "the determination of all Lebanese political actors to continue working with the same constructive spirit and in an atmosphere of national unity". "This is crucial for Lebanon's ability to ensure the proper functioning of all democratic institutions and address the various political, security, social and economic challenges the country faces", they said. The ministers also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to the unity, sovereignty, stability, independence and territorial integrity of Lebanon. It is important to have "an ongoing commitment to a policy of disassociation from all regional conflicts, in line with the Baabda Declaration" of June 2012, the Council stated. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)