On Wednesday 25 September, eleven countries - Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar - and the European Union, led by Paris and Washington, called for an “immediate 21-day ceasefire across the Lebanon-Israel border“.
On Thursday, Israeli strikes on Lebanon continued.
“We call on all parties, including the governments of Israel and Lebanon, to endorse the temporary ceasefire immediately consistent with UNSCR 1701 during this period, and to give a real chance to a diplomatic settlement”, the 11 countries and the EU stressed in a joint statement.
They believe that this ceasefire will make way for diplomacy with a view to reaching a diplomatic settlement in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2735 on a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to these countries and the EU, the situation between Lebanon and Israel since 8 October 2023 is “intolerable” and presents an “unacceptable” risk of wider regional escalation. “It is time to conclude a diplomatic settlement that enables civilians on both sides of the border to return to their homes in safety. Diplomacy however cannot succeed amid an escalation of this conflict”, they warn.
They say they are ready to fully support all diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement between Lebanon and Israel “building on efforts over the last months, [to] end this crisis altogether”.
This call for a ceasefire was supported on Thursday 26 September by all EU Member States in a statement issued on behalf of the EU by High Representative of the Union Josep Borrell. “We urge both parties to urgently implement a ceasefire across the Blue Line that effectively and immediately ends all cross-border threats, and to work towards the full and symmetrical implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, so as to ensure the safe return of displaced populations on both sides as part of a broader negotiated settlement”, they said. The Member States deplored the heavy toll paid by civilians and called for international humanitarian law to be respected in all circumstances.
The Member States are also calling on the international community to mobilise in support of the diplomatic efforts underway.
The EU also reiterates its firm support for Lebanon’s state institutions, including the Lebanese armed forces, and stands ready to help Lebanon overcome the political impasse. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)