The European Parliament has called for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon and for protection of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the context of the recent attacks on the mission. The MEPs held debates on the subject this morning within the plenary session in Strasbourg, which began yesterday and will continue until October 24, quoted by BTA.
Speakers emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire in Lebanon, where escalating violence between Israel and the Iranian-backed Lebanese Shiite movement "Hezbollah" late last month raised fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East. The positions of the representatives of the various political groups differed, especially regarding the responsibility for the current outbreak of violence and the future of "Hezbollah".
UNIFIL announced on Friday that it would remain in southern Lebanon and continue to carry out its duties, despite a series of Israeli shelling that injured peacekeepers from the UN mission.
The European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Janez Lenarchic, called today in Strasbourg for an immediate de-escalation and ceasefire. He warned that Lebanon is a fragile country torn by multiple crises, and the Israeli military operation risks further inflaming the conflict in the region.
Lenarcic reminded that according to UN Security Council Resolution 1701, UNIFIL should be the only armed force in Lebanon south of the Litani River. He emphasized that 16 countries from the European Union participate in the world organization's peacekeeping mission, which is proof of the EU's political support for the UN forces.
"Hezbollah" has continued to shell northern Israel since the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip, triggered by the attack of another Iranian-backed movement - "Hamas" - in the southern Israeli areas on October 7 last year. The Israeli army has launched its operation in Lebanon to end cross-border shelling and allow displaced locals to return to their homes.