Leaders from Jordan and southern Europe have expressed a collective desire for Lebanon’s military to re-establish authority in the southern region of the country. The heads of nine southern European Union countries, known as the MED9, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Portugal and Croatia, have pledged their support to Lebanon’s armed forces to help restore peace in an area that has been marred by conflicts between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a joint declaration, the leaders emphasised the critical role that the Lebanese Armed Forces need to play in stabilising the region. They highlighted their concern over the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, stressing the need for Lebanese sovereignty and peace in the Middle East.
French President Emmanuel Macron underlined the importance of the Lebanese armed forces returning to South Lebanon to maintain stability. Macron hinted at an upcoming conference in Paris on October 24 aimed at increasing aid to Lebanon to address the humanitarian crisis and enhance the country’s military and internal security forces. Discussions at the conference are expected to focus on supporting Lebanon’s army to take control of the southern region.
The European leaders’ backing of Lebanon’s military comes at a time when efforts are being made to reduce tensions in the Middle East. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has engaged with Saudi, Qatari, and French counterparts to explore how the election of a new Lebanese president could help ease tensions by urging Hezbollah to move its forces away from Israel’s northern border.
During the discussions, Macron, along with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, condemned Israel’s actions targeting soldiers from the United Nations peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon (UNIFIL). The leaders also called for a halt in arms shipments to Israel as a measure to de-escalate the conflicts in Lebanon and Gaza.
Apart from security issues, the leaders also deliberated on tackling irregular migration, with a focus on addressing the root causes in migrant countries. They also touched upon climate change, highlighting the vulnerability of the Mediterranean region and the need for collective action.
In addition to addressing these pressing issues, Cyprus proposed establishing a regional firefighting hub with Jordan to combat wildfires in the eastern Mediterranean. The initiative aims to station dedicated aircraft on the island for quick responses to emergencies in the region.
The call for Lebanon’s army to reassert its authority in the south reflects a shared commitment among leaders to bring stability to the region amidst escalating tensions between neighbouring states. The multi-faceted discussions between the countries underscore the complex challenges facing the Mediterranean region and the collaborative efforts needed to address them effectively.