Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdallah Bou Habib delivers the following speech at the Rome-Mediterranean Dialogue:
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Europe and the Middle East are geographically interlinked and share a long history and overlapping interests. The two regions have experienced eras of peace, prosperity, and cooperation. Both have also faced challenges, frictions, and clashes. The only constant, however, is that they have affected each with fortunes and misfortunes. When one of them sneezes, the other catches the cold. In a globalized world, there is a strong opportunity to coordinate, cooperate and thrive together.
Mr. Chairman,
Located at a crossroad between different civilizations and cultures, Lebanon has always been a bridge between Europe and the middle east. Lebanon is now facing multi-layered military, economic, political, and social challenges. An effective European support is essential and of common interest. Lebanon believes that the efforts of peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) operating in its south is essential and vital for bringing about peace. Lebanese are grateful that 17 Europeans countries are an integral and essential part in UNIFIL. In that regard, Lebanon strongly condemns any attack on UNIFIL and calls on all sides to respect the safety, security of the troops and their premises. Moreover, Lebanon condemns recent attacks on the Italian contingent and deplores such unjustified hostilities.
UNIFIL is a bridge of cooperation between Lebanon and international legitimacy. Small countries, like Lebanon, seek shelter under the umbrella of the United Nations and its institutions to shield themselves from external greed and aggressions. The attacks, killing, destruction and displacement of about one and a half million Lebanese makes us more determined to seek the support of the international community to overcome the challenges we face. The assistance of the friends of Lebanon is instrumental for recovery and rebound. The Lebanese aspire for a strong state that defends their rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The prevailing conviction of policy makers in the post-independence era was that Lebanon's strength lies in its weakness: if Lebanon is no threat to its neighborhood, then no one would threaten us. Consequently, the failure to implement United Nations resolutions to create a Palestinian state had a spillover effect on Lebanon starting the mid-sixties. Ever since our efforts to build strong military and security institutions did not materialize. For this to happen, we need your support to build armed and security forces to defend and protect our territories. The prevailing challenges require collective national and international efforts to build robust Lebanese security apparatus. Our main goal is to empower the legitimate national authority, as the guarantor of security and peace. In this context, symmetrical and full implementation of UN security council resolution 1701 is the gate for stability. Lebanon is ready to fulfill its obligations stipulated in the above-mentioned resolution. This literally means and I quote: “there will be no weapons without the consent of the Government of Lebanon and no authority other than that of the Government of Lebanon”. (End of quote) To realize this objective, two necessary conditions are required:
1.An immediate ceasefire.
2.Deployment of additional Lebanese troops south of the Litani river.
Once the above are realized and in cooperation with UNIFIL, Lebanon will be able to extend its authority over its territory.
Mr. Chairman,
We reiterate Lebanon’s commitment to peace and security in our region, and we call for the safe return of the displaced to their villages and towns. Nevertheless, permanent and sustainable security and peace on the Lebanese Israeli border necessitates ending Israel’s occupation of Lebanese territories. Otherwise, continuous occupation will generate resistance and potentially future conflicts.
In conclusion,
I invite Europe to strengthen our historic partnership. Europe has friends on the other side of the Mediterranean, including Lebanon. We look forward to working with European partners to build a Mediterranean basin of peace, justice, and prosperity. Let us join hands to overcome instability and conflicts.
Thank you and best wishes for a successful forum…
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